Doris Alberta Petersen West

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Doris Alberta Petersen West was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on December 26, 1934 to Marvin and Alberta Mills Petersen. Passed away on Saturday, November 7, 2020, in Layton, Utah at the home of her son, Mark.

Doris was the middle child, with an older brother, Ray Petersen (Carmen), and a baby sister, Janice Petersen Holmes. They grew up in South Salt Lake, where Doris loved playing with friends, riding horses, babysitting, drawing fashion paper dolls, and doing well in school. She was a sweet, spunky, happy girl, who grew into a sweet, spunky, happy woman!

Doris was an admitted “wild teenager” when she met and fell in love with Ron West, a calm, quiet young man with a big heart. She was a student at Granite High School when she married her true love. Their official wedding was February 7, 1953 (there is another story, that came out decades later, of their secret October 1952 elopement in Elko, Nevada…with the elicit aid of her best friend’s mother).

After being married for four years, Ron and Doris moved into a brand new home in Cottonwood Heights, where they lived for 52 years, surrounded by many beloved neighbors. Their three children were born there: first a son, who was joyfully welcomed after many years of anticipation, Mark (Lori) West; a second son, who came along thirteen months later and Doris referred to as “my favorite blue-eyed son,” Steven (Suzy) West, and last, but definitely not least, beloved daughter, Sherri West Hodson, who was a best friend as well as a daughter. Doris was dearly loved by her children, and each had a special, unique bond with her. They have many affectionate names for her: Mom, Dors, Little Tiny Mommy, and later, called: Grandma Dors, G-ma, Grandma West by her 15 grandkids and recently, G-G-ma, by her 14 great-grandchildren.

Doris was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints with a deep abiding and powerful testimony. On June 17, 1975, the family was sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. Doris served faithfully in many callings over the years. She always said that being a Cub Scout leader was the most fun, but her favorite was working with the Young Women. They adored her! She camped, and attended Youth Conferences, and went rafting with them (even though she was terrified of the water). Of course she was the only person thrown out of the raft during some especially large rapids! She loved and taught and fellowshipped them until she was “too old to go camping” anymore. Doris took care of her elderly neighbors, even when she herself became elderly. For years she took care of her beloved Aunt Mers and Uncle Neff. She served others her whole life.

Doris loved everyone and her motto could be: FREE HUGS! She loved playing bridge with a group of friends for more than 60 years, multiple bookclubs, bowling leagues with Ron, and she cherished her association with friends (some from elementary years), neighbors, and work colleagues that lasted until her death. She had regular lunch dates and dinner dates with friends and family that kept her day planner full.

Doris was a huge Winnie the Pooh fan! She even had a room in her last home, in Murray, that was devoted to all things Winnie the Pooh. She also loved skiing, Diet Coke, golfing, reading, going on vacations, laying in the sun, yoga, knitting, Diet Coke, listening to Neil Diamond, Gordon Lightfoot, David Archuleta Christmas, and Norah Jones. She loved shopping, triple chocolate ice cream, quilting, barbecuing in the canyon, Diet Coke, decorating for holidays, cross-stitch, power walking, attending plays and concerts, cooking amazing dinners, making her own wine (pre-Church years), rain/thunder storms, Diet Coke, attending her kids and grandkids sports and performances, any kind of card game, jigsaw puzzles and Diet Coke. Until her later years, she never sat and watched TV without something in her hands to work on.

She was a huge fan of the Utah Jazz and never missed a game. She especially loved watching games with her friend Lynne, who recently passed away. They are together again watching from heaven!

Doris loved dressing nicely, smelling good, and always wore coordinating jewelry. Her pockets always had a few tissues, Werther’s candies, and her favorite Avon lipstick balm. Her best accessories were her wonderful smile and adorable little laugh!

Doris graduated from Granite High School in the 1990’s, on the same week that her daughter, Sherri, graduated from college! Her love of learning continued throughout her life. She was a voracious reader up until her last two days of life. If she thought something looked interesting, she’d take a class. From quilting to new-fangled word processing, she wasn’t afraid to try new things! She became proficient at using a Smart Phone in her 80’s and even used it to order Uber rides when she couldn’t drive anymore. She passed this trait to her three children, who also love to learn.

When her kids were growing up, Doris gave ski lessons at Willow Creek Country Club Ski School at Alta Ski Resort in order to get free lessons and passes for her kids. She worked at a few different jobs, staying at each for many years. She worked at Kraft foods, Foulger Equipment, and Cottonwood High School Seminary. She was naturally very detail-oriented and organized, so each job used her clerical and managerial skills.

Ron was the love of Doris’ life! He passed away in 2007, and she missed him ever single one of the 4,887 days they were apart. What a joyous reunion they must be having!

Mark, Steve, and Sherri will always remember their mom as fun, supportive, determined, devoted to her family, friends, and her beliefs.
She taught them to keep their word, follow through, and do things right the first time. She let her kids make their own decisions and often said, “Let your conscience be your guide.” She appreciated every single act of service or kindness with multiple “thanks you’s” and hugs.

Her grandkids will always remember how their grandma loved them so much and required multiple hugs with each visit. Each of her grandkids passed her up in height between the age of ten and twelve and it was always a big deal. Her oldest great-granddaughter is within an inch! She made holidays extra special and loved creating memories with the kids by throwing amazing Halloween, Christmas, and Easter parties! She once had a pony come for a combined birthday party and every one of the grandkids, who was old enough to remember, count that as a favorite memory! She and Ron often had family outings when the older grandkids were young. They went on a Bison-watching wagon ride in Wyoming, went to Park City at dawn for the Hot Air Balloon Show and another year went on the Alpine Slide. They came on several family vacations to California and took the whole family to St. George. Ron and Doris must have attended a thousand ball games, plays, dance performances and musical concerts! Her younger grandkids enjoyed sleepovers and movie nights in her cozy home. Her Winnie the Pooh room will forever be in their memory.

Her daughters-in-law will remember her as a totally accepting, loving, example of motherhood and grand-parenting. She never criticized or gave unsolicited advice, instead choosing to uplift and help them whenever needed.

Thank you to the many devoted family and friends who were there for her in her final years. Thank you for checking up on her in person or on the phone, bringing her food, books, movies, puzzles. Gave her rides to book club, doctor visits, plays, etc. Took her to lunch and dinner and to your homes. Thank you to the endless hours of care from the loving and dedicated staff at the assisted living centers that helped her so graciously for over two years. And a special thank you to Mark and Lori, and their family members, for bringing her to their loving home (after her mild bout with Covid-19). They cared for her night and day, so that her last seven weeks she was surrounded with family who love her. And unlimited hugs!

We will miss you so much, but look forward to seeing you again in heaven, our sweet Mom, Dors, Grandma Dors, Grandma West, G-G-ma, and friend!

Doris is survived by her sister; three children; grandchildren: Kimberly Bird (Peter), Brian West (Nicole), Michael West (Marie), Melissa Barnum (Jonathan), Blake West (Lynnele), Dallin West (Jenah), Aubrey Christensen (Hayden), Ryan Hodson, Carly West, Jonathan West, Sam Hodson, Bryant McMillan (Liz), Jennifer McMillan, Kaytlyn Johnsen (Matt), and Michael McMillan; great-grandchildren: Hadley, Brynlee, Evie, Lucas, Asher, Jace, Eddie, Iris, Emery, Aspen, Winnie, Kinslee, Carina, Reese (and two more coming in Spring of 2021!); sister-in-law, Carmen Petersen; cousin, Jerry Petersen; many nieces and nephews that she adored; and countless friends.

Doris is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ronald George West; her parents; brother, Ray Petersen (who passed away a few months ago); daughter-in-law, Michelle Taylor West; and several dear friends.

Due to Covid-19, there will only be a Family Graveside Service.
Saturday, November 14 at 2:00 p.m. at the Salt Lake Cemetery.
Masks are required. Umbrellas are recommended.
There will be a Live stream on Facebook for those who would like to watch from home.