Ernestine Peters

We celebrate the life of Ernestine Peters de Espinosa who came into this world on February 9, 1928 in Winchester, California. She was born at the home of Rafaela Mora de Espinosa and Bulmaro Espinosa and the second child of eventually seven. She was active in youth volunteer organizations including: Girl Scouts, Future Farmers of America, and youth who observed the skies looking for enemy air craft ahead of an invasion for the military. Ernestine attended Winchester Elementary School until graduating the 8t grade, when she attended Perris High School. She graduated from Perris Union HS and moved to the City of Riverside with her family to be near medical treatment required by her mom. Her career as a seamstress began after arriving at the family Ninth Street home across from Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine. A neighbor took Ernestine to work immediately after she settled into the family Victorian home. She walked each morning to work across the rail road tracks to the downtown Riverside sewing factory where she honed her skills constructing fashion garments. Ernestine later was employed by Val-Desco in San Bernardino where she tailored garments for performing Entertainers. Ernestine Espinosa met and married John Rodriguez Peters Jr, a March Air Force Base member who had served in the Korean War, on May 8, 1955. They were attending USO events where they danced the nights away. In 1955, Ernestine volunteered as the secretary-treasurer for the Ladies Catholic Society of Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine and was a life-long supporter of the group. She also participated with the St. Thomas Seniors until recently. She helped raise monies for Our Lady of Guadalupe Shine at their Annual Fiesta Ranchera event coordinating the burrito booth and selling fundraising tickets. Listening to Mariachi music was a favorite of hers at the fiestas and attended many other Mariachi performances throughout the years. In 1987, Ernestine joined fourteen OLGS parish members trained in blood pressure monitoring and health assessment, screening several hundred parishioners. In addition, she volunteered to custom tailor, fit and sew medical jackets for each member of of the group. Ernestine was a tremendous school volunteer in the classroom, on field trips, and at school events of her five grandchildren. She was committed to the Nati Fuentes Centro de Ninos Pre-School Fundraising activities and events, as well a field trip volunteer. Serving as an long time Election Officer through the County of Riverside, Registrar of Voters, she helped community members express themselves at the ballot box. Each election, Ernestine voluntarily attended multiple trainings and events in support of national, state, and local elections. Ernestine was known for her strong love of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, her compassion and empathy, and her love of family, friends, and community. She prayed the rosary each morning for all her family, friends, and community before breakfast. She ended each phone call and conversation with "Love you and God bless you". Ernestine spent hours watching Pope Leo say mass at the Vatican. Recently her health had limited her ability to attend mass in person, so she very much loved watching mass from the comfort of home originating in international locations. Her mobile phone and tablet were 2 important tools she used each day. First she started by completing 10 puzzles on her tablet and scored the highest points before eating. Her 4 rescue dogs, Max, Bolt, Pablo, and Denali would greet her each morning for their daily head pat, making sure Grandma was safe and secure. She loved her boys. Ernestine Peters Espinosa is survived by her daughter, Susan Peters and son, Ronald Peters, 5 grand children, 5 great-grand children, other god children and family members.

Ernestine Peters

February 9, 1928 - February 10, 2026