Janae Diane (Peterson) Stephenson (42) of South Jordan, UT, passed away on Wednesday, January 23rd 2019 peacefully at home while surrounded by her family. The following obituary was written by Janae: “I was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (aka. Lou Gehrig’s disease or ALS) in June 2008.
As this disease began to work its way through my body, it was devastating to experience the ongoing and steady muscle atrophy, the lost physical abilities. My life plans for the next 50 years were wiped away and I was left with a blank slate. I was shocked.
I was furious. I grieved. And then (even though it is easier said than done), I decided to try and proceed with my life, trusting in God, that even though things did not seem okay—in the end they would, in fact, be okay.
Born to Martin and Louise (Reese) Peterson (Hyde Park, Utah) on March 7, 1976, I am the middle child with two older sisters, Heidi (D.J. Risk) and Kristen (Charles Ford), and two younger brothers, Steven (Lindsay) and Jared (Lisa). I grew up in Hyde Park, Utah. While attending Utah State University, I met my best friend.
On March 20, 1998, I married that best friend and sweetheart, Jeff Stephenson (son of Scott and LaKay Stephenson of Orem, Utah), in the LDS Bountiful Temple. I graduated from USU with a degree in Landscape Architecture and spent four years working in this profession until our first child was born. I was grateful to have the option of being a stay-at-home mom.
After Erik was born, Claire and Megan also joined our family. After the birth of our first child, there were the occasional design projects, and a variety of church callings, but mostly my days were filled with everything mom. I’d like to think that I wasn’t “just a mom,” but a “MOM!
” Cookie making, trips to the library and museums, mountain hikes, pushing jogging strollers for countless miles, bug catching, band aids, art projects, parks, planting seeds, picnics, mediating the “it’s not fair” events, timeouts, tears, a lot of laughing, and hugs and kisses. I would do it all over again and I am thankful for the time I had. I want to thank Jeff for being my sweetheart and caregiver.
For all that I have had to face, he has had to face it, too. Being a caregiver is one of the most difficult challenges in life; as a caregiver you see the good and the bad. Through all these years, Jeff has been a rock.
He’s been a provider for our family. I want to thank him for who he is and what he’s done. He really is a hero.
My family and I are forever grateful for all the love, support, and kind deeds we’ve been given. As you remember me, I hope you’ll remember that life really is a journey—and it’s possible to find joy in that journey no matter the challenges we face”. A viewing will be held on Sunday, January 27th from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel located at 11685 South Kestrel Rise Road, South Jordan, UT.
A viewing will be held prior to the funeral service on Monday from 9:30 to 10:30. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 28 at the same chapel. If you wish to send flowers, please do, she always loved them.
If you wish to support the family in another way please coordinate with Libby Tallerico 435-512-7657 (txt) or Joe Ross 801-706-6992.
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