Norma Jane Peterson Whitlock

June 7, 1934 - July 28, 2018

Our beloved mother, Norma Jane Peterson Whitlock, returned home to our Heavenly Father July 28, 2018, enjoying a reunion with her eternal companion, Ray. Norma was born June 7, 1934, to parents Jewel Marcus Peterson and Gladys Hannah Draper Peterson at their home in Fairview, Utah. While still an infant, her family moved to Mount Pleasant purchasing the lumber yard there. She loved growing up in Mount Pleasant and maintained lifelong friendships with her school friends. Norma enjoyed performing pantomimes and theatrical monologues around the surrounding communities at family gatherings, wedding receptions and club parties. She also enjoyed performing in plays both in North Sanpete High School and at Snow College. While at Snow College she met her future husband, Ray Whitlock, in a biochemistry class and graduated from Snow with her associate’s degree. She then graduated with her bachelor’s degree from University of Utah in Elementary Education. After graduation, she and friends moved to California to begin teaching in the San Diego School District. On April 2, 1958, she married Ray Allen Whitlock in the LDS Manti Temple. Ray and Norma created their home and raised their family in San Diego, California, until 1976. Norma continued teaching until the year of their youngest child’s birth, supporting Ray through his schooling. Mom excelled at being a mother and homemaker. She was an excellent seamstress, cook, nutritionist, supporter, encourager, inspirational cheerleader, and spiritual guide. She loved our Savior Jesus Christ and held close to the promises given by our living prophets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She loved serving in various callings, such as Primary president, Relief Society president (three different times) and other callings, but teaching early morning seminary was a favorite. She and Ray moved their family to Alpine, Utah, near the end of the summer of 1976, desiring to be closer to their extended family. Norma then began teaching full-time again, first in the Jordan School District at Willow Canyon. After a few years she moved to the Alpine School District and taught at various elementary schools: Greenwood, Alpine, Barrett, and Highland. While teaching full-time, Mom also earned her master’s degree through Brigham Young University in August of 1988. The Alpine School District asked her (three days before school started) to serve as the principal at Cedar Fort and also teach a grade of students. Later she served as vice principal at Highland Elementary, while also teaching a grade of students. After a rewarding career in education, Norma retired to work on family history, writing a book about her great-grandmother Jane Miles, and to have time to participate in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She loved serving a mission with her husband in the Cebu Philippines Mission. They also served at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. Later they were able to serve in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Cynthia & Neal Westwood, Julie & Richard Millett and David & Jackie Whitlock. She was blessed with 22 grandchildren and have 12 grandchildren married into the family(so far): Mindy (Spencer) Allred, Jessica (Brent) Thomas, Elizabeth (Landon) Smith, Deborah (Stephen) Spencer, Rebecca (Michael) Stone, Kimberly (Jared) Stoddard, Julia (Keith) Smith, Melissa (Paxton) Harral, Jennifer (Andrew) Kunz, Richard Westwood and David Westwood, Stephanie (Steven) Rose, Rick (Katie) Millett, Kyle Shanklin, Alex Millett, Adam Millett, Holden Millett, Holly (Deric) Lewis, Ashley Whitlock, Nathan Whitlock, Heather Whitlock and Dallin Whitlock. She called her 21 great grandchildren her angel blessings here on earth: Abby, Joseph, Jake & Emma Allred; Blake & Jeneil Thomas; Charlie, Meili & Grayson Smith; James & Elizabeth Spencer; William, Thomas & John Stone; Jocelyn, Andrew & Jeffrey Stoddard; Hallie Smith; Brysen & Molly Rose; and Sequoia Lewis. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray, parents, and siblings Jeniel (Bert) Howell, Gwen (Jay) Knudsen, Lloyd Peterson and Calvin Peterson. Her sisters in law are still living, Janet (Lloyd) Peterson and Patricia (Calvin) Peterson. We give our deepest thanks to Shelley Byington, RN and Lisa Bernston, CNA from Envision Hospice. They gave not only physical care and comfort but also cheerful uplifting and loving care. And thanks to the support staff at Envision. Also to the aides and staff at The Charleston Assisted Living Center in Cedar Hills. The viewing will begin Thursday, August 2, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Friday, August 3, 9:30-10:30 a.m. with the funeral starting at 11:00 a.m. These will be held at the Alpine 7th Ward Chapel on 890 N Heritage Hills, Alpine, UT (at the mouth of Fort Canyon).