Sara-Jennis Young Willey Peterson

Sara-Jennis Young Willey Peterson, 70, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on October 10, 2021, after a year-long battle with colon cancer.

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 19, 1950, she was the third child and oldest daughter of the late Dr. Roy DeVerl Willey and Helen Anderson Young. She was raised in Reno, Nevada and spent many summers and some of her high school years with extended family in Wyoming. She married the love of her life, Paul Thomas Peterson, in the Salt Lake Temple on August 30, 1971. They were able to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary together this summer with their family. Education was very important to Sara, and she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing in 1973. She worked as a speech therapist in the Alpine School District while earning her master’s degree in Speech Pathology, which she received from Brigham Young University in 1974, a few weeks before her second child was born.

Sara led a life filled with service. She worked in various volunteer capacities for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including two full-time missions with Paul, first called to preside over the Geneva Switzerland Mission from 2006-2009, and then as a senior couple in the Montreal Canada Mission from 2013-2014. They later served together as leaders in the Missionary Training Center in Provo. Sara also gave time to her community and sat on the board of the Utah State Developmental Center, where her youngest brother Blair is currently a resident.

Sara loved to crochet and used her talents to make gifts for her children and grandchildren. She was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling. She visited many countries around the world and frequently explored the US with Paul in their RV. Sara was very interested in family history and was proud of her heritage as a great-great-granddaughter of Brigham Young.

Sara’s greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She is survived by Paul and their 6 children: Trent (Jane), Andrea Duncan (Baylor), Courtney Tarbet (David), Paige Larsen, Brett (Briette), and Jaclyn Brown (Jason). She is ‘Nana’ to 21 treasured grandchildren. Sara is also survived by her siblings: Robert (Ellen), Kimball (Carolyn), Quentin (Sheila), Geneve Johnson (Justin), and Blair. Her parents and younger sister, Andrea, preceded her in death.

Sara leaves a legacy of love, selflessness, and steadfast faith in Jesus Christ. She will be remembered for her kindness, her sense of humor, and the way she lovingly opened her arms to others and cherished her relationships. She had unwavering faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and was an example of trusting in Him and enduring cheerfully to the very end. She will be sorely missed.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 16, 2021, at the Canyon View Ward Chapel, 10494 North 4720 West, Highland, Utah. Viewings will be held Friday, October 15 from 7-9:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 16 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the same location. Interment will be in the Provo City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints General Missionary Fund.

Those who are unable to attend are invited to view a livestream of the services at https://zoom.us/j/96801386060.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bergmortuary.com.