Elva Pennock Pearson

An Elect Lady On a beautiful spring day, May 13, 2015, our loving matriarch, Elva Pennock Pearson, passed away peacefully after her 100 year sojourn on this earth. She was born into the loving family of James Ernest Pennock and Hannah Driffill Pennock on Feb. 17, 1915 in Devil's Slide, Utah. She was the 4th child of 8 children and loved being the middle child. She spent a happy childhood and early adulthood right in the middle of Salt Lake City attending the old 3rd Ward which was the center of her family's lives. She graduated from South High School and seminary. She was always so proud to let people know that Harold B. Lee was her seminary teacher. She later attended classes at LDS Business College. She married her sweetheart, David G. Pearson, in the Salt Lake Temple on Aug. 6, 1940. The temple was closed for cleaning so they opened it that day just for their sealing. They moved to their big white house in Taylorsville in 1946. They raised their family of seven children there which was "out in the country" according to all of the city cousins. She loved being a stay at home mother and homemaker, but she did work occasionally at Auerbach's at Christmas time, and after her children were all in school she was employed as a bookkeeper for Valley Shopping Center for several years. She was very active in the LDS Church and held many positions over the years. She had a firm testimony of the Gospel and bore it often. She loved the temple. She always wanted to go just "one more time" but her health prevented it. She was a very social person throughout her life, even into her late nineties. She belonged to several clubs including: the 3rd Ward Bishop's Club, the Suburban Arts Club, the Gospel Study Club, and a Ward Book Club. She loved to read! She and Dad attended the Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City for many many years with their study group friends. Her home was always open for parties and other gatherings. She was famous for her entertaining. She wasn't extravagant, but she was always classy! In her 90's she was asked to teach a mini class in Relief Society on hosting parties. Her home was always open to guests, from relatives who stayed for a night or two to anyone (or a family) who needed a home for an extended stay, and there were many. Her mother and father-in-law lived in an upstairs apartment for many years. She considered it a blessing to have them in our lives because she didn't ever know her own grandparents. Her home was always "the gathering place" for our extended family as well as immediate family. Aunts, uncles and cousins have many fond memories of time spent at Aunt Elva's home. In her waning years, her guests lived there to keep her company. She said that she owed her longevity to doing water aerobics for several years and healthy eating. She loved fruits and vegetables. It was joked that Grandma would eat broccoli with her taco or even scrambled eggs. If anyone stopped by at noon, they would usually be served a healthy lunch. She was very compassionate and loved to serve. She cared for and loved both her mother-in-law and her Dad for several years just as she has been taken care of, but she didn't have hospice to help her. She lovingly cared for her daughter Diane after back surgery, a granddaughter Sandee, who was bedridden during her pregnancy, and also for Sandee's toddler son Jordan while her husband traveled with his employment She was such a feminine woman in every way. She loved pretty things from fresh flowers on the table, beautiful china, and anything dainty. Her favorite color was pink. She was so kind and gracious. She loved people and they loved her. She had a grateful heart and was ready to help anyone in needalways ready to take in food to someone or even help out financially. In her last few months, she has been so patient and appreciative to all those who have served her. She truly endured to the end. She was ready to move on. Her large family, including her extended family, was her greatest joy. She will be greatly missed by all of us, but her legacy of love and kindness will ever be in our memories. Thank you, Mother, for the legacy of love and kindness you have left us. She is preceded in death by her husband, daughter, Diane Roeller, and 3 grandsons, John Pearson, Chris Pearson, and Jeff Morgan. Her survivors include Beth Ann (Kent) Smith, David Gary (Linda), Carolyn (Terry) Rose, Stuart (Linda), Scott (Allison), and Merrilee (Don) Forsyth along with 39 grandchildren, 88 great grandchildren, 10 great great grandchildren and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews. She will be honored at a memorial service to be held on Tues., May 19, 2015 in the Taylorsville 1st Ward located at approx. 1355 W 4800 S, Taylorsville, UT at 12:00 noon with a viewing preceding from 10:30-11:30 am. A viewing will also be held at McDougal Mortuary, 4330 S Redwood Rd on Monday night from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the LDS Humanitarian fund. The family would like to thank Intermountain Hospice Laura, Angela, Bonnie and Katie for their kind, tender care, and especially her children, Stuart and Linda, Carolyn and Merrilee for the many days, weeks and years of dedicated, loving service to our dear mother. Place of Birth:Devil's Slide, UtahPlace of Death:Taylorsville, UtahHobbies:Book Clubs;The Shakespeare Festival;Entertaining;Water AerobicsOccupation:Bookkeeper for Valley Shopping Center