Florence "Molly" E. Chidester Petersen Obituary (1918 - 2007)

SOUTH JORDAN: Florence E. (Chidester) Petersen, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, due to complications from pneumonia. She was born May 22, 1918 in Holbrook, Idaho to John E and Florence E. (Loveland) Chidester. Florence grew up in Salt Lake City where she met Joseph Fielding Petersen. They were married June 11, 1938 in Salt Lake City, Utah and later sealed for eternity in the Jordan River Temple. Florence and Joe raised three wonderful children in a loving and hard working home. Their home was a home of love, always open to family and friends. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to tell you the history of both her and Joe’s family. If you were sick she had the cure along with a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup. She would tell you how she played on a semi-professional softball team during World War II called “The Margelet’s”, and how much she loved it. She was crazy about sports and taught her children and grandchildren how the game was played. She served in her ward as a Sports Director and loved working with the young women. They won a championship during that time. The Utah Jazz with Stockton and Malone was one of her all time favorite things to do. She had season tickets and never missed a game. She had a very competitive spirit. Her greatest pleasures were not in things, but in her family. She found great delight in the loving relationship she shared with each of her children and grandchildren. Her everyday life was a reflection of her inner testimony. Her joyful spirit was evidence of her grateful heart. She endured to the end without complaint, leaving a legacy we will strive to uphold until our joyous reunion. Florence is preceded in death by her parents, husband Joseph F. Petersen, her son Joseph E. Petersen, and one great grandson Trevor Allen, four brothers and one sister. Florence is survived by two children: Richard (Linda), Judy (Fred) Allen, and daughter in law Diane Petersen and one brother Jerry (Toni) Chidester. She has 10 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 17th at 11:00 am in the South Jordan River Stake Center at 11400 S. 1570 W. where friends may call one hour prior from 9:45-10:45 am. Friends and family may call the night before on Friday, March 16th from 6:00-8:00 pm at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley 1007 W. South Jordan Pkwy. (10600 S.) Interment South Jordan Cemetery.