Dorothy May Pettit

Dorothy May Jackman Pettit demonstrated that love is powerful and love is real! Dorothy passed away quietly at home Thursday, 26 May 2016. Ruby and Ralph Jackman brought Dorothy into their family July 14, 1942 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

She graduated from West High School and impressed everyone with hersewing and handiwork skills. After high school she went to work and met Donald Lessley Pettit, her sweetheart of fifty-three years. They married in the Logan temple, November, 1 1962. Dorothy joined Donald in Louisiana when the Army drafted him. In Louisiana their first child was born, Melanie Lorraine (Eatchel)(Buck) Shortly thereafter, Donald and Dorothy returned to Utah where their family expanded while Dorothy supported Donald and raised their family. Evan Allen, Michael David, Kenneth Lessley,Amanda Vivian, and Alysia Danielle (Malmström) joined their family and they made a home in West Jordan, Utah, where they lived together for 43 years.

Dorothy always had a skein of yarn and a hook or needle. What projects she didn’t give her children and grandchildren she lovingly gave to charity and other people in the neighborhood and ward. People knew Dorothy for her kindness and gentle demeanor. She was loved by all. Dorothy worked hard and enjoyed her flowers, afghans, and crafts. She taught others to knit and crochet and often helped others with their projects. She raised six children and enjoyed spending time with her six grandchildren, lovingly joining them on adventures near and far. She would help pack up the family and leave in the middle of the night for many family vacations from California to South Dakota, New York, Ohio, Florida, Hawaii, and even the beauty of Utah mountains and national parks. She enjoyed traveling to Washington to visit her sister and see the flowers. In her recent years she lived in an a Airstream trailer with the love of her life and travelled all over the United States experiencing its beauty.

She is preceded in death by her parents and beloved brother Wilford (Bill). She is survived by Donald Lessley Pettit and her six children, ten siblings (Thelma Mary, Howard, David, Linda, Calvin, Carma, April, Laura, and Wayne) and six grandchildren, Andrew Loyd Eatchel, Falysia Yvette Eatchel (Mangrum), Whitney May Eatchel, Levi Elias Malmström, Ephraim Anton Malmström, and Asher Karsten Malmström.

The family will receive visitors Tuesday, May 31st from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm to at the LDS Church, 7171 South 2700 West. A memorial service will be held Wednesday June 1st at 11:00 am (family and friends at 10:00 am) at the LDS Church 7171 South 2700 West. She will be interred at Valley View Memorial Park, 4335 West 4100 South, following the memorial service.

As her health declined recently, she emphasized that she loved you! It was vital! Her crafts, quilts, afghans, and projects, will fade, but her love will not. Love joins time and memory, love shines through the mists of our crowded lives and brightens all we hold dear.