Maya Safiya Lariel Peterson

Maya was born on a hot sunny day in Youngstown, Ohio, on July 2, 1998, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital. Maya's personality truly was the brightest light that warmed everyone she met. She was always happy and had a huge smile. She had a mind and heart beyond vibrant and thirsty for knowledge, and inquired why about everything. She thought critically, living her life with conviction and belief in everything she did.

Maya warmed so many with her smile, her kind and honest words, was always helping many, and gave encouragement to everyone around her. Maya was wise beyond her years, as she articulated and explored ideas, expressed herself with tact, respect and understanding for opposing views. She was incrediblely patient, compassionate and had an ability to defuse most situations.

She loved animals of all kinds, rescued many and helped re-home as many as she could. She loved learning history, psychology, music, exploring new places, truly having a life of experiences. She loved art and became very good at her pottery.

She precedes her mother Bella; sisters Hannah and Nadia, Leila; brothers Tyler, William, and Jamal; and boyfriend Holden. She knew four of her great-grandparents with whom she was very close; Dr. Gilbert and Mrs. Lorraine Peterson and Mr. David and Mrs. Darlene Burgess; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Remembrance service will be held at First Presbyterian Church at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 29, 2016. Maya's See You Later Party will follow at Jasmine's Catering. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to https://www.gofundme.com/2i48e70?ssid=781537415&pos=1 or search by "Maya Peterson Expenses" on gofundme for a scholarship benefitting local art for school age kids.