Mary Louise Peace

Mary Louise Peace, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2025, at the age of 96. Born to Yeager and Mary Gibson during the final year of the Roaring Twenties and raised in Southeast Washington, D.C., Mary was a true Washingtonian. She enjoyed her childhood and teen years going to the movies and roller-skating with her girlfriends Dorothy, Marian, and Lillian. In 1947, she met and married Calvin Peace, her husband of 70 years. Together, they raised four children: David, Roger, Diane, and Dana.

A woman of remarkable determination and independence, Mary built a meaningful career as a self-employed business owner, operating her own daycare. Her warmth, patience, and love for children touched the lives of many families, reflecting her generous heart and nurturing spirit. Mary was admired for her resilience and the calm wisdom that guided her children — to whom she was more than a mother but also a confidante and a friend. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary enjoyed reading, finding comfort and companionship in the pages of a good book. She was also a woman of deep faith, devoted to her church and guided by her spiritual beliefs throughout her life. Her faith was her foundation — a quiet strength that carried her through challenges and inspired those around her. Intellectually curious and always engaged, Mary took a keen interest in politics and current events. She followed the news closely and cared deeply about what was happening in the world, often sharing thoughtful insights and spirited conversations about the issues of the day.

Throughout her life, she maintained a love for music and the arts. She cherished the timeless beauty of The Sound of Music, Gone with the Wind, and the romantic duets of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. She was always singing and was at her best when teaching her daycare children how to draw, read, and say their prayers — something she also did with her own children. She became a strong female role model for her daughters and granddaughters.

After ninety-six remarkable years, Mary’s story is complete. But as her favorite film Gone with the Wind promises, “Tomorrow is another day.” Now, her eternal tomorrow has come, and it is filled with peace.

She is survived by her children: David Peace (Carol), Roger Peace (Paula), Diane Geosits (Bill), and Dana Brown; five grandchildren: Brian Peace (Lindsey), Lauren Harris (Michael), Michelle Geosits, Melissa Brown, and Laura Geosits; and three great-grandchildren: Hendrix Harris, Oakland Harris, and Asher Peace. She was predeceased by her husband of 70 years, Calvin Peace; her sisters, Betty Gibson, Bernice Murphy, and Iva Carroll; and her brothers, Edward Gibson, Clarence “Hun” Gibson, and Ubert “Babe” Gibson.