Jeannine Peterson

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, wife and friend graced this planet for 89 years. Jeannine was an amazing woman who accomplished so much during her life. She was born in Banida Idaho to Eva Gregersen and Cecil Miles. Life wasn't easy for Jeannine and her youth was full of struggles growing up during the Great Depression. Her baby brother died when Jeannine was still very young so she grew up as an only child in a small, rural community. Later as a teenager she moved to Salt Lake City and went to East High, and then went on to graduate from Stevens Henager Business College. One day when she got on the bus to go to school, a young man sitting on the back row with his buddies said to them, "I'm going to marry that girl." Not much later, she met that young man, Bob, at a stake dance and they fell in love. They later eloped to Evanston Wyoming.
Their first child, Robert, was born in December, but sadly only lived five days. In April a year later, Jeannine gave birth to their oldest daughter, Patricia. Their second daughter, Susan came along the following year. The family lived in Salt Lake City where Bob completed his doctorate degree at the University of Utah, and Jeannine taught elocution lessons. After Bob graduated, the young family moved to Guelph, Canada and their last child, Michelle, joined the family.
Two years later, they moved to Ottawa where both Bob and Jeannine worked for the Canadian Federal Government. Jeannine learned enough French to be able to communicate effectively in her position as executive secretary to the Minister of Science. She also had many other skills including remarkable typing speed and the ability to read and write two different forms of shorthand, which came in very handy with her job.
Jeannine balanced family, church and work life with grace and skill. She was a world traveler visiting many countries including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, Germany, France, Spain, Holland, Luxembourg, Egypt, and Israel.
Jeannine was a woman who loved to arrange things, from furniture to the design of her garden - she even kept a small sign among her plants that read "Grow Damn It!". She taught drama and directed plays for community theater. She also helped organize the annual relief society fundraiser of handmade chocolates at Christmastime. It goes without saying, they were always delicious! She was also an excellent cook, although she did not consider herself one, and consequently kept her cooking secrets to herself. She could literally open a cupboard and make a feast from a handful of random ingredients.
Jeannine loved music and dancing. She and Bob were avid square dancers. She later danced with Jean’s Golden Girls and enjoyed performing on stage at various local events. They were both active in various civic service clubs and Jeannine volunteered for several years as a "pink lady" at the Provo Regional Medical Center. She held numerous callings in her church service and had a strong testimony which she readily shared with others.
Jeannine spent the last few years of her life in an assisted living facility where the staff loved her and enjoyed her sense of humor and dry witty comments. She passed peacefully on Friday June 28th, 2019 surrounded by her daughters. She is survived by her three daughters, eleven grandchildren, and 32+ great grandchildren that she adores and that adore her. Rest in peace Jeannine, your mission is complete.