Elayne Peterson Rich

Elayne Peterson Rich, 89, passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2014. Elayne was born in Payson, Utah on November 5, 1924, to Martin and Mary (Schaerrer) Peterson, the youngest of six children. She grew up in Payson and as a young girl thought that the Payson valley surrounded by mountains was the entire world. She moved to Oakland, CA in 1941 and graduated from Oakland Technical High School in 1943. She worked at KROW radio station during WWII. She met her future husband Arthur H. Rich, Jr. at the Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland. They were married November 7, 1946 in Oakland, CA after Art was released from service in the Navy. They were later divorced. Elayne was a self proclaimed "people person" and easily made friends in the many places where she lived including: Oakland, CA, Denver, CO, Sunnyvale, CA, Austin, TX, Evanston, IL, Syracuse, NY and the Salt Lake Valley. After her divorce in 1966, Elayne returned to Utah and found employment at KSL Radio, IML Freight and finally Utah Power & Light. She retired from Utah Power in 1990. Elayne was a life long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was proud of her pioneer heritage. Elayne will be remembered for her love of the gospel of Jesus Christ, her love of gardening, travel and photography, as well as her homemade candy, especially her caramels. Elayne was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Mervin Peterson, Berniece Elgin, Margaret Poppe, Earl Peterson and Madeline Minnick. Elayne is survived by her two daughters: Janis (Walt) Chudleigh and Sharon (Larry) Hall. Elayne's posterity also includes 8 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 22, 2014, 11 a.m. at the Bennion 12th Ward, 6550 South 2700 West where family and friends may visit from 9:30 to 10:45 prior to services. Burial to follow at the Payson City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the LDS Church Missionary Fund. Place of Birth:Payson, UtahPlace of Death:West Jordan, UtahOccupation:Credit Representative Occupation:Utah Power & Light