Catherine Barton Pedersen

“Grammy Catherine”

Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and Friend

July 5, 1939 – August 30, 2022

Our Sweet, Beautiful Mom and Grammy passed away peacefully at her home “Camelot,” at the age of 83 surrounded by her children and in-loves. It brings us great joy knowing that she is reunited once again with her husband, and our Dad, “Captain Bob” along with her son David and son in-love Rod. Oh, what a beautiful reunion that must have been!

Her greatest joy was her 8 children, 4 children in-loves, 29 grandchildren, (11 in-loves) and 25 great grandchildren. She was close to every single one of them, and each one felt like they were the most important person in the world to her.

She was eloquent and classy in every way and was rarely seen without lipstick on. She made you a better person just being around her, and was everyone’s best friend. She loved unconditionally, was Christ-like and always had the best advice for life.

Catherine was blessed to be born with two very hardworking and talented parents, Dr. Ray H Barton Jr. and Helen Grant Barton. Their home was always filled with music. They both played their violins, the piano and organ, and had wonderful singing voices. They had a family orchestra together with Catherine’s 5 siblings. She attended Kindergarten on Treasure Island (outside of San Francisco) where her father was a doctor in the Navy. Then she attended Stewart School on the University of Utah campus from 1st to 9th grade, (except for 6th grade at Bonneville Elementary) then East High School, the University of Utah and Brigham Young University, where she majored in Speech and Drama. She took elocution speech lessons from Grace Nixon Stewart and used those skills her entire life by narrating programs, giving readings, book reviews, acting in plays, directing plays, and giving talks and lessons.

She met her husband, Robert George Pedersen, at B.Y.U. They went on their first date on May 6, 1960 to a Bricker Dinner Dance at Log Haven Restaurant and fell in love that night, and were married 3 1⁄2 months later in the Salt Lake Temple, by Elder Richard L. Evans. Their love affair continued for 58 years until Bob passed away on March 20, 2018.

Catherine enjoyed many years of Volunteer Work and Community Service. She was President of the Granite Education Foundation, President/Chairman of the Governor’s Mansion Foundation, V.P. over Conferences for the Utah Association of Women, Executive Board of “Pennies by the Inch” for Primary Children’s Medical Center. She was President of Cottonwood High School P.T.A., then Director of Region V P.T.A., over Granite School District, Chairman of the District’s Self-Esteem Conference for 4 years and then launching the District-Wide “Adopt-A-School” program. The goal was “90 businesses adopt 90 schools in 90 days.” Governor Leavitt spoke at a luncheon where business leaders from all over the State were invited. He asked them to lay down their business card on the table if they were interested in partnering. So many responded that they not only reached their goal, but over “90 businesses adopted 90 schools in 90 minutes.” Eventually, over 90 schools were adopted by 350 businesses. The Foundation received many national awards for this program. Our Board traveled to California to receive an Award from the National School Boards Association. She involved her family in many of these projects... It was always a Family experience. Catherine received the “Outstanding Service Award” from the Utah Association of Public Schools Foundations, the Governor’s “Points of Light” Volunteer Award for Utah from Governor Mike Leavitt, and then, she received the National “Points of Light” Volunteer Award for the Nation from President George W. Bush. Also that year, she spoke at B.Y.U.’s Women’s Conference. In 2004, she received the Alumni Emeritus Special Recognition Award from Brigham Young University for Volunteerism. For many years, Bob and Catherine hosted guests that came from all over the world to the B.Y.U. International Law and Religion Symposium where 37 countries were represented and 80 delegates attended. Together, Bob and Catherine were honored by the Granite Education Foundation at their annual “Children’s Friend” Award Dinner, and later honored at a beautiful dinner gala at Little America given by the Utah Arthritis Foundation.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was always the foundation of our parents lives. They were blessed to be able to work together and always supported one another in their various callings. The first 12 years of their marriage were spent serving in the University II Stake, Bob as Stake Young Men’s President and Catherine as Stake Young Women’s President. They held classes and a dance every week for over 500 students. Most of Catherine’s callings were in Young Women’s and Relief Society where she served as Stake Y.W. President in University II Stake and Ward Relief Society President in Cottonwood II Ward. She also loved being the Book of Mormon Specialist for several years, where about 45 women read the Book of Mormon together and she prepared a luncheon at her home to celebrate. She had a great love and a strong testimony for the Book of Mormon and shared it often. A highlight of her life was serving with her husband as Director of the Oakland Temple Visitors’ Center for two years, from 2007 to 2009. She loved her Sister Missionaries and the wonderful couple Missionaries that served in the Visitors’ Center.

She was a lifetime learner and belonged to many different groups throughout her life. Some of which included the World Study Group, Stewart School friends, Cottonwood Study Group, Tokalon friends from B.Y.U., Four Seasons group, Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Neighborhood Book Club, and their Provo Group. One of Catherine’s favorite days of the year was presenting Scholarships to wonderful young people from Leigh VandenAkker’s classes at Taylorsville High and East High, and also Olympus High School and because of those scholarships hundreds of lives were changed.

Catherine and Bob loved to travel for business and pleasure. They were fortunate to experience many beautiful places throughout the world. For their 50th Wedding Anniversary, they traveled with their children to Oberammergau, Germany. One year they brought their entire posterity to Disneyland for Christmas. And we can't forget the granddaughter's tea parties and the annual Fourth of July celebration and parade with extended family and friends. Each of these experiences brought them so much joy to share with their family. They traveled to Ethiopia, Africa to meet a future grandson that was eventually adopted.They spent many summers enjoying Lake Powell and together they were able to visit each of the 7 continents. In the fall of 2019 after Dad had passed away, Mom took 65 of her posterity to Oahu, Hawaii to celebrate her 80th birthday. But their favorite place of all was always returning to their family cabin in St. Charles, Idaho, “The Creamery”. A little piece of heaven on earth where wonderful and lasting memories were created and will continue to be for generations to come.

Catherine has waited a long time to be reunited with her loving husband, Bob. She is survived by 7 of their 8 children, Rebecca (Rod-deceased), Michelle, Robert II (Kim), Richard, Deborah (Steve), Amy, Jefferson (Heather), and David (deceased) along with their families which include 29 grandchildren, and 25 great grandchildren. Also her brothers and sisters, Grant (Marilyn), Ann (Jon), Ray III, Bruce (Jane), and Helen (Gary), and their families. She loved and adored Bob’s parents, Wanda and George Pedersen, his 2 brothers Gary, James and sister Diana and their spouses and families. Catherine enjoyed having “adopted” daughters live in their home, especially Deb Grant, Elizabeth Dietze, Blanca Arjon Castro and many of her daughter’s friends.

Our family would like to thank our loving sister, Amy, for her Christ-like service to our Mother during the last few years of her life, since our Dad passed away. We would also like to thank Teri Benson and Vitalina Lazarus for their many, many years of love and friendship, working side by side with our Mom and family.

Catherine is preceded in death by her parents: Dr. Ray Hunter Barton Jr. and Helen Grant Barton and Bob’s parents, George and Wanda Pedersen. Also their son, David Barton Pedersen, son-in-love, Rod Sorensen, and great-grandson, Jackson McArthur. In Catherine’s own words: “Bob and I have had a wonderful life together. We have been so blessed in every way. Our life has not been easy or without many trials, but we have learned from our struggles and we have pushed forward in faith.” It’s not goodbye…It's "See you later.” We love you Mom.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, September 8th from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the LDS Chapel Big Cottonwood 2nd Ward located at 2080 East Donelson Lane (5165 South) South Holladay, Utah.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, September 9th with a morning viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with services to follow at 11:00 a.m. at the Cottonwood 2nd Ward, 2080 East Donelson Lane (5165 South), Holladay, Utah.

In honor of our Mom… we invite you to join us in wearing pink on Friday!