River Woods principal Laura Peterson dies of cancer

For Laura Peterson, being an educator was both a joy and a challenge.

The combination of the two kept the principal of River Woods Elementary School working in Naperville Unit District 203 for more than 30 years.

"She just loved what she did. She loved every bit of it," daughter Sandy Golminas said. "There were details that were not so much fun but she loved her job. It wasn't even a job for her."

Peterson died Sunday at the age of 60 after battling cancer.

Even in her last days, she was passing along life lessons, Golminas said, telling her family the importance of doing what they enjoy just as she did with her career in education.

Peterson officially joined the staff of Naper Elementary School in 1977 but had served as substitute before that. Over the years she also worked as instructional coordinator for Meadow Glens and Scott elementary schools, learning resource center director at Scott, assistant principal of Elmwood, Steeple Run and River Woods elementary schools, principal of Elmwood and most recently principal of River Woods where she remained until her death.

"She was very hands-on with the kids, very involved," said Ron Gibson, retired associate superintendent for the district. "She had great relationships with staff and parents and was just a tremendous person."

Sharon Wall, retired principal of Naper Elementary, has been a friend of Laura's since they both taught at Naper together in the late 1970s. She said Peterson had both the professional and the people skills to be a great teacher and principal.

"She taught by seeing, by hearing," Wall said. "She used all the modalities to get kids engaged in whatever subject matter she was teaching. A lot of hands-on activities, her instruction was clear; she was very patient. She was willing to meet the kids where they were too."

Golminas said her mother was even-keeled and understanding.

"She always tried to be thoughtful and look at it from the other person's perspective," she said. "I think that's what made her as successful as she was and why people appreciated her."

Outside the classroom, those nearest and dearest to her heart were her family - husband Lee, daughters Sandy (Ron) Golminas and Julie (Jeff) Clifford and her four grandchildren.

"She was a mother first but she played "Grammy" so well," Golminas said.

Visitation for Peterson will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home, 44 S. Mill St. in Naperville. Additional visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 15, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 815 S. Washington St. Funeral services will follow at the church.