Arlene Jensen Ferguson McPhie Obituary (1935 - 2005)

To view a video tribute for Arlene McPhie, please click here. "Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of". Matt 6:8 Vera Arlene Jensen Ferguson McPhie, our dearly loved mother, grandmother, sister and friend passed away November 22, 2005 from complications related to pancreatic cancer. Her family and a dear friend surrounded her at the time of her passing. Arlene endured much this past eleven months but continually remained optimistic to the end. She truly fought a good fight. Arlene was born on April 15, 1935 to Clyde E. and Vera Nielsen Jensen. Arlene married Lowell Gene Ferguson on April 3, 1958. They had three daughters, Elaine, Kathleen and Laureen. Gene and Arlene later divorced. On June 5, 1984, Arlene married Wallace G. ‘Wally’ McPhie in the Salt Lake Temple and added five children to her family. Arlene was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she held many positions. She also served as an ordinance worker at the Jordan River Temple with her husband Wally. They loved to travel and planned many places to go prior to his death. Her hobbies included CNN News, reading, crocheting, cross-stitch, gardening, theatre, (especially ballet) and family activities. She had a great love for all animals. Arlene was a leader of her family, and not afraid to do what she believed was right. She loved the hard work her half acre of land challenged her with, as well as the years she spent raising her three daughters as a single mother. She has been a great example to many by living an honest and trustworthy life filled with integrity. Her parents, her husband Wally, her brothers C. Robert and Don C. Jensen and her daughter Laureen, preceded Arlene in death. She is survived by her daughters Elaine (Hans) Ruitman, and Kathleen Ferguson, her sister Lucile (Tom) Owen, stepchildren David A. (Annette) McPhie, Pamela M. (David) Mulcock, Stephen A. (Karen) McPhie, Karen M. (Jeffrey) Hilton, James A. McPhie, 23 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and sister-in-law Jean Jensen. A special thanks for the caring hands and hearts at Residence Care Source. In addition, Dr. Thomas Dietz, her Internist, Dr. Michael Sossenheimer, and Dr. Mark Ott, her surgeon, who always brought a smile to her face. Funeral Services will be Wed., Nov. 30, 2005 at 12:00 noon at the Cottonwood Ward Chapel (1830 E 6400 S SLC). A viewing will be Tues., Nov. 29, 2005 at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 S State St 6-8 p.m. and at the Ward from 11-11:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment, Larkin Sunset Gardens 10600 S 1700 E Sandy, Utah.