Janice R. (Cleveland) Peters, 85, of West Wareham died July 25 at home. She was the wife of Joseph J. Peters and the daughter of the late Milton and Loretta (LaPointe) Cleveland.

She was born in New Bedford and lived in Wareham for more than 40 years.

Mrs. Peters operated a one person office for her husband’s business, Joseph Peters Transmission, in New Bedford for 50 years.

In the 1960s, she organized with two women the first New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Association for Children with Learning Disabilities. They were responsible for the introduction to the Massachusetts Legislature, and the eventual passage of legislation, that recognized and educates children with learning disabilities. This legislation was the forerunner of the Massachusetts Chapter 766 that now educates all children with special needs.

She worked as an assistant the children’s librarian at New Bedford City Library from 1978 to 1980. She was a coordinator at the Marion Art Center from 1981 to 1985 and an instructional media assistant for the New Bedford School Deptartment from 1985 to 1997.

She was a member of Community Autism Resources, the Buzzards Bay Coalition and other local conservation groups. The family would like to thank Community Nurse Homecare in Fairhaven and Rose for her compassion and care.

Survivors include her husband of 65 years, Joseph J. Peters; a daughter, Joanne Keighley of West Wareham; a son, Milton Peters and his wife Ann of Venice, Florida; two brothers, Donald Cleveland and his wife Theresa of Dartmouth and Frank Cleveland and his wife Ida of Freetown; two grandsons, Patrick Peters of Florida and Ryan Keighley of Vermont; two great grandchildren, Colleen and Connor Keighley; many nephews, nieces and grand nephews and grand nieces. She was the aunt of the late Ronald and Andrew Cleveland.

Her graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on July 29 in the Center Cemetery, Tihonet Road, Wareham. Visiting hours have been omitted. Arrangements are by the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway, Wareham.