
PEABODY RALPH LOUIS Age 88, of Cranberry Township, on May 23, 2016. I have led a very blessed and full life for which I am thankful. I was born to Viola (Hanna) and Ford Peabody of Birmingham, Michigan on January 30, 1928. My oldest brother, Frank, and his wife, Margaret, are both deceased, but their children, Barbara (Bernier) and Ronald survive. Also surviving are my brother, Alford (Bettie), and their children, Gary, Susan (Klienfelt), Sandra, Bruce and Russell. My education included high school in Birmingham and a B. Ed Degree from Michigan State Univ., and M. Ed and D. Ed Degrees from Wayne State Univ. Following two years in the U.S. Army, on July 4, 1954 Delores "Del" M. Stevenson and I were married and had a wonderful marriage for 47 years until she passed away. Del's brother, Phil, and his two daughters, Susan and Lori, also survive. Del and I had the privilege of starting the first Pre-School exclusively for Blind Children in a public school in River Rouge, MI. Those children to this day remain very dear to me. During that time, we were selected as God Parents to Amy Del and Marla Lennox. These two and their families continue to enrich my life. In 1963 we moved to Pittsburgh, PA where I started and coordinated the program for the professional preparation of teachers of the visually handicapped at the University of Pittsburgh for 25 years. This was an extremely rewarding job as I saw so many former students educate children with compassion and professionalism. In 1991 Del and I moved to Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community. Here we found a home for our retirement years where we were both very active in many different roles. I have had a very good life for which I thank my family and friends. You are invited to attend and participate in a Memorial Service in the Quaker Tradition on Saturday, June 11, 2016, at 2 p.m. at Sherwood Oaks, 100 Norman Dr., Cranberry Twp., PA 16066. Interment will be held privately in Howell, MI. Memorial donations may be made to the Sherwood Oaks Employee Scholarship Fund. Cremation Arrangements entrusted to GLENN-KILDOO FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SVCS., INC., 130 Wisconsin Ave., Cranberry Twp., PA 16066. Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb