Lillian Peltz-Petow (March 20, 1951 - June 14, 2023)

Written by Lee Hall Delfausse

With unrelenting sadness, I share with all of you that Lil Peltz-Petow, an early member of NWTO, passed away from complications of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in Sarasota, Florida. If you played any Category 1 tournaments in the past 30 years, then you definitely met Lil who played most national tournaments from the 35’s to the 70’s.

As a sought-after ambassador for tennis, Lil loved all aspects of the sport: the preparation, the travel, the competition, and the lifelong friendships. Often people would praise Lil, “If you have a friend in Lil, you have a friend for a lifetime.”

Lil grew up in Manchester, NH where she learned racquet sports with her brother Claude Peltz. Early on she became a top ping pong player as well as a top junior tennis player. She built her tennis acumen at Plymouth State College (PSC) where she excelled in tennis, lacrosse, and skiing, eventually being inducted into the PSC Hall of Fame. Lynn Miller, her college doubles partner recalled, “There will never be another Lil. She hated to lose, playing #1 in singles and doubles. She had the rare mix of competitiveness, compassion, and friendship that you don’t see in people; not to mention her outrageous comments on the court. Lil would often say about herself or her partner, ‘That’s unacceptable.’” Lynn and Lil went on to play in the National Collegiate Championships in Alabama in 1972.

After college, Lil became a professional tennis instructor and dominated New England Tennis tournaments, often gaining the #1 year-end ranking. She loved representing New England on their prestigious Addie Cup and Friendship Cup teams, and in 1999 she was inducted into the New England Tennis Hall of Fame.  

She married Bob Petow in 1987 and discovered USTA National Senior Women’s Tennis where she quickly rose to become a seeded player in every age group from the 35’s to the 70’s.  With 11 gold balls and innumerable silver and bronze balls, she qualified for nine USTA World Cup teams and traveled to England, France, Croatia, and Turkey, earning a career ITF world ranking in singles of #3 and in doubles #7 in 2002. Her winning doubles partners included Betsy Savitt, Cindy Leprovost, Tina Karwasky, and Jan Kirkland-Cochran. These relationships developed into deep friendships, often with matching outfits on the court.  

Meanwhile, at her home in The Landings in Sarasota, FL, she joined the USTA leagues as a 4.5 player. Her team captain Barb Lancer counted on Lil to win in every division: the 18 and over, 40 and over, and 55 and over. Barb praised Lil, “I always knew I could count on Lil to pull out a tough match. She was tenacious, crafty, and skilled. She had perfect touch with a drop shot followed by a lob volley that devastated the younger, more powerful players.” 

To remain fit, Lil took up yoga which she practiced every day, often showing off her headstands, downward dogs, and splits. In her desire to fully understand the discipline, she studied relentlessly, memorizing every bone and muscle in the body, and proudly became a certified yoga instructor. Her yoga friend, Mercedes, spoke about Lil’s dedication to the practice, “For Lil, yoga helped slow her down. A time to focus on herself while also encouraging others. She always repeated, ‘Your health is your wealth’.”

Lil had a supportive family whom she often bragged about, including brothers Claude and Louise Broom-Peltz of Manchester, NH, Michel and Ha Peltz of Vietnam, sister Nicole Peltz of Portland, OR, and five nieces and nephews. To follow her story, go to Caringbridge.org/Lil Peltz-Petow. Her husband Bob Petow predeceased her. 

The National Women’s Tennis Organization has lost a strong advocate, a competitive athlete, a fair player, and, finally, a woman who understood that the game is as much about friendships as it is about leaving your heart on the court. Once you befriended Lil, a hug was not enough, she would lift you up using her petite frame, and then trash-talk you by saying, “Do you know who I was.” 

A celebration of her life will be held at The Landings Clubhouse in Sarasota, FL on December 17, 2023 at 2:00 pm.