My great Aunt Zonnie passed away last Sunday June 15th at the age of 94. She was so involved with my family and I, and it has been so difficult. After a wonderful Father's Day, my whole family decided to go down to Sunrise and see Zonnie. She hadn't been doing to well and since we were all together we thought it would be a good chance to see her. Upon arriving, we quickly realized she was in poor condition. My Dad and Zonnie's other nephew Glenn decided to give Zonnie a blessing. After the blessing there was talk of taking Zonnie off the oxygen mask, so she could leave this life. After much heartache the family agreed it was the best decision and as my family stood around we did the hardest thing and removed it. Tears filled the room as we all stood and marveled over the most amazing lady and said our goodbyes. As a family we questioned if we were making the right decision by removing the oxygen, but just a brief 40 minutes after removing the oxygen Zonnie took her last breath. I have never experience something to the magnitude of watching someone draw their last breath and leave this world.
Today was Zonnie's funeral in Richfield, Utah and so I wanted to give a tribute to her. For years Zonnie has said I would play the harp at her funeral. As her health was not looking well last Saturday I asked my Dad to pick a song to start learning for the funeral. Without much hesitation my Dad said "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong. I purchased the sheet music Sunday afternoon just hours before Zonnie passed away. There is not enough words or space on this post to describe Zonnie, but I did want to share a few wonderful things about her that have changed my life.
Zonnie had a wit about her that was unbelievable. Even during serious conversations she somehow found a way to use her wit and lighten the mood. She was always saying the funniest things that would have the family just laughing. A story relayed to us by a worker at Sunrise was on Saturday when she walked into Zonnie's room in her worsening conditions she asked "Am I dead yet". She always was quick to have a witty response to everything.
Zonnie was one of the most determined people I have ever met. Apparent by her age of 94, she was always determined in everything she did. While in the hospital with a broken hip, she was determined to be up and walking again, and succeeded. She was a very educated woman and I think her determination for life showed. She lived in her house in Richfield until the age of 93, and every so often at her age, she would drive herself from Richfield to Nephi to come to SLC to visit by herself. She was amazing.
Zonnie was so generous and kind. She was always willing to help out wherever she could. She was known by everyone for being such an amazing listener and genuinely interested in every ones lives. She always knew what was going on and made it a point to ask you about it. I am sure she had hardships in life, and even had people she disliked, but I never heard her complain or say anything bad about anyone. It was one of the most amazing qualities I hope to do better at.
Lastly she was a beautiful lady. As I have seen pictures of her back when she was young and even Zonnie at 94, she is so pretty in her pictures. She holds herself so well and always looked like a million bucks.
She lived a wonderful and accomplished life. She had so many relatives that loved and adored her. Saturday in a conversation with my dad she told him she was ready to go. She told him, please make sure everyone knows I love them. Although it has been really hard to have her gone, I know she is in a better place and reunited with her husband. At the age of 92 Zonnie was endowed in temple and sealed to her husband Verl Peterson. It was such a wonderful event. I will never forget, as I got married Zonnie being at the Manti temple in the sealing room. What an honor and accomplishment at her age.
The quote on the back of her funeral program read:
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
I think this is such an amazing quote. Zonnie truly succeeded in life. To finish this tribute I have posted a few pictures and her obituary.
To Zonnie- I love you deeply and will miss you so much. Thank you for so many great memories and happy times!
Luzon Peterson 1914 ~ 2008 RICHFIELD, UTAH- Luzon Anderson Hunter Peterson died peacefully on Sunday, June 15, 2008 of causes incident to age at the age of 94. The ninth child from a family of 11 children, Luzon was born April 6, 1914, in Central Valley, Sevier County, Utah, to Soren and Christina M. Sorenson Anderson. Luzon graduated from South Sevier High School at Monroe, Utah in 1932. She continued her education in Salt Lake City, Utah earning her R.N. degree in 1935. For the next 40 years, she served in various nursing capacities in Cedar City, Salt Lake City and Sevier County. The last 23 years of Luzon's nursing career were spent as a public health nurse in Sevier County where she traveled throughout the county serving the public's health needs, particularly those of school children. In addition to her professional responsibilities, Luzon served as chairwoman for many fund raising drives for the heart, lung, and cancer societies for many years. She participated in various Utah Heart Association activities and was a member of Utah State Nursing Association. On September 2, 1937, Luzon married Frank H. Hunter in Richfield, Utah. He was a B-17 pilot killed in World War II over Italy, July 22, 1943. Luzon later married Verl A. Peterson on December 4, 1948 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He preceded her in death September 17, 2001. Upon retirement in 1974, Luzon and Verl spent their winters in Arizona and California in their travel trailer where they were able to continue to golf, swim and sight see. In the summer, they were very proud of their large vegetable garden. A member of the LDS Church, Luzon was able to be sealed to Verl in the Mount Timpanogos Temple in the last few years. Among Luzon's most notable traits were her compassion for others, her ability to make all those around her feel comfortable, her quick wit, and her endurance as evidence by her age. Luzon is survived by brother, Talmage (Sylvia) Anderson, Central Valley; brother-in-law, Wayne (Verle) Peterson, Salina; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by six sisters, three brothers. The family would like to express special thanks to the loving care providers of Sunrise of Sandy, Aspen Ridge, and Hearts For Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Cancer Society or Primary Children's Hospital. Funeral services will be held Sat., June 21 at 12 Noon at the Magleby Mortuary Chapel (50 W. 100 S.) in Richfield. Friends may call prior to the services 10:30-11:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Richfield City Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com Published in the Salt Lake Tribune on 6/19/2008.
