The memorial service in celebration of the life of Brooke Peters began with the reading of Romans 5:1, but this portion stood out: “… we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
According to friends of Peters, this passage from the Bible could not have described Peters’ life more accurately.
Peters would have been a sophomore in the College of Health Sciences this year, but passed away July 22 after sustaining injuries in a car accident.
“No matter what was going on in her life, she wouldn’t let it interfere with how she put others first,” said Elizabeth Crane, a junior in the College of Health Sciences.
Born with a rare genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis, Peters fought against great pain from tumors that grew on her nerve tissues and nearly took away her ability to walk.
Nonetheless, after surviving 19 corrective surgeries, Peters defied doctors’ expectations and persevered over her suffering.
Though she endured many trials, Peters never complained about her pain, according to Megan Goeden, a junior in the College of Engineering. Goeden served with Crane as Peters’ small group leader on Campus Ministry’s annual freshman retreat.
Peters’ perseverance contributed to her character, especially her well-known smile.
“She had a beautiful spirit that showed through her smile,” said Kristen Wetzel, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences who got to know Peters on the Campus Ministry retreat last year. “She had a face and a smile you’ll never forget.”
From Peters’ character came her hope that she could help others, which led to her decision to earn a degree in physical therapy.
According to Janelle Smith, a sophomore in the College of Health Sciences, Peters had a profound effect on the people she came in contact with.
“Meeting her once has an impact on your life,” said Smith, who was also in Peters’ small group on the Campus Ministry retreat. “If everyone knew her, the world would be a better place.”
During the service, friends shared reflections from Peters’ Facebook wall posts and encouraged those in attendance to contribute their own sentiments if they wanted to share something about Peters with everyone.
Though Crane said you could not capture Peters’ personality on paper, Goeden offered a solution for everyone to honor Peters’ memory.
“The best memorial to give her is to smile,” said Goeden. “Even to random people.”