It is with both joy and sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Dorothy Perry Pedersen, at her home on August 11, 2022, at the age of 97. Her loving presence and steady influence will be greatly missed, but we rejoice that she is again reunited with her husband, W. Max Pedersen, and many departed family and friends.
Dorothy was born to Myron Duncan and Mary Belle Batty Perry on November 7, 1924 in a 2-room log home in the Glines area. As a child raised during the depression, she learned early the lessons of hard work and frugality as she spent the majority of her early years being raised on her parent’s small farm in Vernal, Utah, living in the old white farmhouse. She happily grew up with her older sister, Donna, and her younger siblings, Mariam, Gordon, and Derrell, as well as many wonderful aunts, uncles, and cousins. She attended elementary school in the old Glines School as well as Maeser Elementary. She graduated from Uintah High School with the class of 1942.
After graduation, Dorothy moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where she attended LDS Business College, graduating with degree in accounting. She then worked at Dinwoody Furniture for the next 3 1/2 years. During that time, she met and corresponded with her future husband, W. Max Pedersen, while he served in the Navy in the South Pacific during World War II. After the war ended, and his safe return to Salt Lake City, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 27, 1946.
Dorothy and Max spent the early years of their marriage in the Salt Lake area, and eventually relocated to Vernal in 1953 with their small family. There they spent the remainder of their lives, happily raising their five children in the home they built together. She and Max were married for 62 years when he passed away in 2009. Dorothy enjoyed being a homemaker and was a loving, dedicated mother, eventually becoming the matriarch of a great posterity. Dorothy spent many happy hours working in her vegetable garden and with her flowers in the summertime, sharing produce and fruit with family, friends, and neighbors. She enjoyed sewing, making quilts for all of her grandchildren, making flower arrangements, doing upholstery work, and playing her violin. She spent many happy hours with her grandchildren teaching them to sew, can produce, make quilts, and other life skills.
As a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Dorothy enjoyed serving in a variety of church callings. Being involved in family history has always been a big part of her life, both doing research and as a teacher. She and Max were directors of the Family History Center in Vernal for 3 years, and also served an 18-month mission at the Family History Center in Los Angeles, CA. When the Vernal Temple was completed in 1997, they served as ordinance workers together there, with Dorothy serving for 14 years. She loved the temple, and it was a very big part of her life.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Donna Shimmin and Mariam (Keith) Brimhall, and her brother Gordon (Lou Jean) Perry; a grandson, Stephen Timothy; a daughter in law, Joelyn Pedersen, and a great-great granddaughter, Kensley Joy Mitchell. She is survived by her 5 children and their spouses: sons, Larry, Richard (Janet), Scott (Kate), Mark (Tammy) Pedersen and daughter, Deanna (Doug) Timothy; bother Derrell (Betty) Perry and 22 grandchildren, as well as numerous great, and great-great grandchildren; also, by numerous nieces, nephews, and their families.
We will always remember our mother’s example of kindness and stalwart determination to be faithful to her values and beliefs, with an unwavering testimony of Jesus Christ. She was always gentle, gracious, and thoughtful of others. We will truly miss her sweet presence in our lives. Love you forever Mom!
We give a special thanks to Canyon Home Health Care and Hospice as well as to the members of the Glines 2nd Ward for their care and many acts of kindness. Funeral services with be held at 11 am, Aug. 20, at the Glines Stake Center, 78 South Aggie Blvd. Friends and family may call from 6-8 pm, Aug, 19, and from 9:45 until 10:45 prior to the Aug. 20 services at the Glines Stake Center.
Burial will be in the Maeser Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Blackburn Vernal Mortuary with compassionate service being provided by the Glines 2nd Ward.
Published by Blackburn Vernal Mortuary – Vernal on Aug. 13, 2022.
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