Obituary: Mary Deane Peterson Gilbert Clark Andrew

Mary Deane Peterson Gilbert Clark Andrew 1920 ~ 2006 Mary Deane Peterson Gilbert Clark Andrew, an elect lady, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2006 at her home overlooking the Provo Temple. Mary Deane was born March 29, 1920, the 9th child and 7th daughter of James Morton Peterson and Louisiana Carie Heppler in Richfield, Utah. In her early years, she attended school in Richfield, Utah, high school in Houston, Texas and Boise, Idaho. In 1941, she graduated from Brigham Young University with a major in physical education. While there, Mary Deane was active in student government as a class officer and president of the social unit O.S. Trovata. In her senior year, Mary Deane married her college sweetheart and captain of the BYU football team, Arthur Gene Gilbert, in the Utah Salt Lake Temple. Art later coached football at Springville High School. He became a lieutenant JG in the Navy during World War II, during which time they lived on Coronado Island, California where their first son, Paul Ensign, was born. Later they moved to Provo where Art was employed by the BYU football program. A daughter, Lark, was born a few months before her father's death from leukemia June 3, 1947, in Provo, Utah. After her husband's death, Mary Deane taught at the Brigham Young High School from 1947 to 1951. On December 20, 1950 she married Dr. Harold Glen Clark in the Arizona Mesa Temple and became matriarch to his five children and her two children. Her eighth child, Rebecca, was born in 1953. Mary Deane and her husband were called as the first president and matron of the newly constructed Utah Provo Temple from 1971 to 1976. Mary Deane was the initiator of the temple schedule that is still in use today in temples throughout the world. From 1978 to 1979, they served an 18 month diplomatic mission to Sri Lanka. During their service, the LDS Church was officially recognized in that country for the first time, the Book of Mormon was translated into Singhalese and microfilming of birth and death records was begun. Upon their return, Harold Glen suffered a massive stroke and Mary Deane took care of him faithfully and lovingly for five years. He passed away March 2, 1984. She subsequently married Glenn Andrew in the Utah Provo Temple September 17, 1986. He passed away May 18, 2004. Mary Deane was a faithful lifetime member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having held many responsible positions, among them Relief Society ward and stake president and significantly, Relief Society president of the first stake formed at Brigham Young University. She was honored as a recipient of the 1992 Brigham Young University Alumni Service to Family Award. She is survived by her children Mary Louise Clark Perry (Bob) serving in the Armenia Yerevan mission; Donald Driggs Clark (Mary); Lynn Clark Callister (Reed); Paul Ensign Gilbert (Susan); Joseph William Clark (Marilee); Lark Gilbert Cheesman (Doug); and Rebecca Clark Knudsen (Kurt); 45 grandchildren (three deceased) and numerous grandchildren. One daughter, Carol Jean Clark Ottesen (Sterling) recently preceded her in death. She is also survived by five children and many grandchildren from her marriage to Glenn Andrew: LaDeane Edwards (Ray, deceased), Glenda Shumay (Gary), Douglas Andrew (Sharee), Diana Thornton (Duane, and Patrice Ringger (Michael). One son, Sherman (Susan) preceded her in death. She is also survived by her sister and best friend, Bobette Peterson Johnson (Glendon). Mary Deane, who lived the scriptural admonition, "Be still and know that I am God" will be greatly missed for her exemplary life. A time of commemorating this remarkable lady's life for family and friends will be held on Monday evening, April 17, 2006, from 5-7 p.m. and Tuesday, April 18, 2006, at 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Hillside Chapel, 2000 North 1500 East in Provo. Funeral services are under the direction of the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home of Orem and will be held on Tuesday, April 18, 2006, at 11 a.m. at the Hillside Chapel. Interment will be held in the Murray City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.walkerfamilymortuary.com