Jacqueline Delvora Pehrson, beloved sister, aunt, cousin and friend, was called home to her Heavenly Family Oct. 6, 2021, as the result of a massive stroke. She was surrounded by family at the home of her sister in Riverton, Utah.
Jackie was born Aug. 2, 1935, in Lehi, Utah, to Sidney and Sarah Delvora Gurney Pehrson. She was the fifth of eleven children.
Jackie was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From Jan. 1960 to Jan. 1962, she served as a missionary in the Sweden Stockholm Mission. She was proud of her Swedish heritage and was so thankful to serve where her family immigrated.
Over the years Jackie held many callings and served in all three auxiliaries, including the Primary, which was by far her favorite. She also served many years as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake Temple.
Jackie attended school in Vernon, Tooele, and Eureka; she graduated from Tintic High School in Eureka, Utah. She attended BYU, and then went to work at Dugway Proving Grounds and later at Fort Douglas as a procurement specialist.
The center of Jackie’s life was her family. She proved that you need not have children of your own to be a mother. Her love, nurturing, and example made her a second mother to her many nieces and nephews. She supported many missionaries financially, emotionally, and spiritually. She was the family historian with an amazing memory and had the ability to recall names, birthdates, and special occasions for everyone in her large family. She spent decades doing family history research and temple work. She loved family reunions and knew that family relationships extend beyond this life.
Her very best friends were her siblings. They were a tight-knit family who enjoyed spending time together. Many hours were spent around the piano singing and sharing their talents with others. One of her greatest gifts of love was serving as a caregiver for many of them.
Jackie spent her entire life serving others. She did this perfectly and without hesitation. She is truly the greatest example of what it means to give of one’s self, time, and talents.
Jackie is survived by her brother Sidney G. (Tiiu) Pehrson of Key West, Florida; sister Vicki Jo (John) Smekens of Riverton, Utah; sister-in-law Erla Pehrson of Farmington, Utah; brother-in-law Jim Ekker of Vernon, Utah; 39 nieces and nephews; and many great and great-great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings (Sidney Bryant, John Calvin, Florence Elaine, Emma Lou, Clayton Gurney, Lois Christina, Leroy Eric and Linda Lee), and two nephews.
Friends and family may pay their respects at Tate Mortuary, 110 S. Main St., Tooele, Utah, Tuesday, Oct. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m., or at the Vernon Ward Chapel, Wednesday Oct. 13 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Funeral services to follow at 11 a.m. Friends and family may also watch the service remotely at my.gather.app/remember/jacqueline-pehrson.
Interment will be at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the many family members, especially her sister Vicki Smekens and niece Melinda Johnson, neighbors, and friends who shared their love, support, and prayers with Jackie and her family. We also express our appreciation to Encompass Hospice and Tate Mortuary.