Spanish Harlem will never be the same as we say goodbye to Louise Ione Peters-Matthias, born to Llewelyn Peters and Axelina Henry on March 7, 1911. She was preceded in death by her parents, Phillip Benjamin as well as her brothers, William Peters and James (Jaime) A. Dyer; her great-nieces, Renee M. Hodge and Zanaya Shivers and her aunt, Consuelo Neville. In March, she celebrated her 103rd birthday, but sadly, Louise, affectionately known as "Auntie" gained her gift of eternal life on Thursday, September 4, 2014. Louise spent the majority of her childhood visiting between St. Croix, Virgin Island and San Juan, Puerto Rico where she was born in the small town of Puerto de Tierra, Puerto Rico. In 1927, with her eyes on the "Big Apple", Louise and her mother took a long journey to New York City on the Maracaibo ship. Once docked, she was welcomed by Pastor Paul West of Transfiguration Lutheran Church, where she became a life-long member. As a proactive and social woman, Louise dedicated her service to Transfiguration Church as a "Hand-Maiden" but also to the United States Social Club. For many years, she did domestic work for the Jona, Orisficre, and Rosnick families. In the spring of 1935, Louise was charmed by a handsome military man named Brown Emmanuel Matthias (Uncle Peppy). Before he was stationed in Hawaii, Brown and Louise married in New York City. Their love and respect for one another remained throughout the years. As Brown served our country during World War I, he attributed his survival to the unconditional love and support of Louise. Her love for her husband was adored by all, even after Brown passed away in 1985. Louise continued on after the loss of her husband and remained strong as she raised and spiritually adopted over 30 children including nieces and nephews, her neighbors' children from Jefferson Houses and her beloved church cousins from her little apartment 6C where she lived for 60 years. Louise ran a tight ship but her close family ties and lasting friendships remained her salvation until her passing. Her legacy of "loyalty and family first" will be carried on by her nieces; Leona Benjamin Hodge, Denise Bates Wheatley (Cecil), Michele Hodge Powell (Anthony Sr.), Sonia Hodge, Jacqueline Hodge Jackson (Warren), Judith Dyer, James Dyer, Jr. (Marcy), Beverly Dyer Davidman (Leonard), Herbert Garner, Gloria Dyer Martin (Ralph), and Michelle Dyer; and sisters-in-law, Susie Dyer and Casilda Bonelli; godson, "Boyie" Bonelli; along with her twenty-eight great-nieces and nephews, Taneya Williamson Mckie (Melbourne), Jenelle Ione Thorman, Monique Powell Purdue (Percy) Tejean Joseph, Tiffany Powell Shivers (Terence), Shivonne Wheatley, Marquis Powell, Shayna Wheatley, Cejae Wheatley, Christian Wheatley, Anthony Johnson, Jr., Tyrone Johnson, Brian Mitchell, Stephanie Mitchell Hoyte (Jeffrey), Leah Dyer, Regina Dyer, Michael Mobery, Taylor-Faith Mckie, Malachi Shivers, Madison-Li Perdue, Ahriana Shivers, Kyle Wynn, Jr., Tatiana Joseph, Taliyah Joseph, Zaire Shivers; as well as her extended family, Transfiguration Lutheran Church, and neighbors of the Jefferson Houses community.