Judith Bannister Peoples, 78, of Ewing, died suddenly on June 13 at her home. She was the long-time chair of the Ewing Republican Committee.
Born in 1939 in Trenton, Peoples was a life-long Mercer County resident. She graduated from Hamilton High School West and Trenton State Teachers College (TCNJ).
She began her extensive professional career as a business teacher at Bordentown Regional High School. She took a break to raise her 5 children. During that time, she served as PTA president and was awarded lifetime membership in NJPTA. Upon returning to work she served as coordinator of public information for Hamilton Schools.
As an entrepreneur she began a business with her friend Glenda Cain. She was recruited to apply her skills as a research associate for the State Senate.
This led to a position with the state School Boards Association as director of governmental relations and acting executive director from which she retired.
She returned to public service as a lobbyist for New Jersey Joint Council County Special Services School Districts and she was the founding chair of the Ewing Redevelopment Agency, serving as its commissioner.
She was also chair of the Ewing Economic Development Advisory Commission and she repeatedly held the title of president of the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society.
Daughter of the late George and Mary Alexander Bannister, survivors include by her husband of 57 years, James C. Peoples; her children, James E. Peoples and his wife Lynnette, David L. Peoples, Elizabeth P. Czelusniak and her husband Steven, John Alexander Peoples and his wife Kristi, and Rebecca P. Lynn and her husband Steven; grandchildren, M. Benjamin, Ashley, William, Nathan, and Charles Peoples; Aaron, Sean and Sydney Lynn; and Olivia and Emily Czelusniak.
Donations can be made to either the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society, 27 Federal City Road, Ewing, NJ 08638 or Fisher House Foundation, 12300 Twinbrook Pkwy, Suite 410, Rockville, MD 20852. Go to fisherhouse.org/ways-to-give/donations.
