CALLICOON — Hundreds of people filled the Delaware Youth Center on Creamery Road in Callicoon on April 12 to pay their last respects to their friend, niece, cousin, sister, and daughter, Rebekah Peters.

Flowers and photo boards lined the front of the youth center showing moments from a life filled with laughter and happiness.

Friends and family came from across the country to mourn and to celebrate a life filled with purpose but taken far too soon.

Peters was murdered tragically in Las Vegas on April 2, just a few days shy of her 32nd birthday.

Her father Mark Peters—who ministers in addition to his full-time job as plumber, is very active in his ministry with recent visits to Africa, the Philippines, and Scotland— thanked everyone for their support in the past couple of weeks.

“It has been very trying and hard for our family. There are no mistakes today, only love,” said Mark.

Her father said she was named after Rebekah of the the Bible and said her name in Hebrew meant “captivating” and she undoubtedly was, according to her father.

Mark recited words from Psalms chapter 23 of the Bible, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, you anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever,” Mark read.

Rebekah's uncle, Jack Heinicke played a heart-wrenching rendition of Jeremy Camp's song ‘There will be a day' on guitar, one of her favorite songs.

Those who spoke at the funeral did not talk about how she died but rather they gathered to mourn and told stories that celebrated her life.

“She made everyone feel like somebody,” said AMarie Castillo, a close friend of Peters. “She had an undeniable zest for life and a sense of adventure. She lit up a room and brought everyone together wherever she would go. She will be missed, but focus on the love and not the loss.”

Rebekah's uncle, Bruce Raff, started a Gofund me page soon after her passing and in short time it has raised over $25,000 that will be used to help pay for funeral costs.

Peters graduated in 2005 from Sullivan West High School and was the star of the cheerleading squad.

Soon after graduating from high school, she moved to New York City where she studied at the Swedish Institute of Massage Therapy.

She remained in NYC after graduating and worked and lived there until she moved to Las Vegas in January 2019.

“I know my niece was a phenomenal lady,” said Keith Peters. He recited verses from the Bible to those in attendance, “God loves all of us,” he said.

The funeral service closed with a rendition of Amazing Grace played on harmonica by a family friend Brian McCrum and Uncle Jack on guitar—everyone in attendance joined together to sing along.

Her final resting place is Heavenly Rest Cemetery in North Branch.