Sharon Allen Peffer

Sharon Allen Peffer was born on April 19, 1936, in Tremonton, Utah, to Joseph and Ila (Apgood) Allen of Portage, Utah. Early in Sharon’s childhood, Joe and Ila moved to Ogden, Utah where they raised their family which included two boys, Ron and Gerald. Sharon’s childhood typified life in a hard working, blue collar family - making due with what they had and inventing interesting and creative ways to have fun. Sharon learned to be very industrious and often worked as a babysitter and as a teenager at the Safeway grocery store. For much of Sharon’s childhood, the family lived on Adams Avenue Rear which they jokingly referred to as living “up Adams rear.” Although they were poor, Sharon never saw her childhood as wanting. Sharon shared memories of her childhood including the family taking trips downtown in her father’s car to watch people from out of town or soldiers strolling along 25th street from Union Station. Seeing people from far and wide brought images of an exotic, wider world for future exploration. Sharon would later turn those childhood dreams into reality as she traveled the world visiting every continent except Antarctica.

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Sharon attended Ogden High school, Weber State College and Utah State University where she studied elementary education. Sharon joined Sigma Kappa sorority while at Utah State University and remained close to her school friends throughout her life. Over the years, they would get together for conversation and often traveled together. These friendships were a source of great joy to her. Sharon was also an accomplished skier and she skied downhill for the Utah State University Ski Club. Sharon rekindled her love for skiing later in life and could be found on the slopes well into her 70’s.

Sharon met William Eugene Peffer and they married on August 8,1959 in Ogden. Bill and Sharon moved to Bountiful where Sharon began teaching in Davis County School District. They bought a house on Ridgeview Drive moving into what became Sharon’s home for the rest of her life. Bill and Sharon raised four boys, William (Billy), Robert (Bob), Scott and Michael (Mike) who were her pride and joy. The Peffer residence was often the center of neighborhood activity and served as both base camp for endless baseball and football games, bike riding, summer evening neighborhood games of hide and seek or kick the can till dark and winter excursions to Hannah Holbrook elementary school for sledding. Sharon was always there to support the boys with popsicles in the summer and hot chocolate in the winter. The family was often away from home camping at Fish Lake or Flaming Gorge and visiting family in California for Christmas. While being a stay at home mom, Sharon helped Bill run his auto parts business, took care of a huge garden, bottled fruit and ensured the boys were attending to their lessons. As the boys grew, Sharon became involved as a sports mom, served in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), sold Avon and was an early leader of the South Davis Soccer Association with Bill.

Sharon loved children and had a long career as a teacher. Sharon taught elementary education for 31 years serving the elementary age children of south Davis county. Sharon worked at Adelaide Elementary school before she stepped aside to raise her four boys. Later she returned to school working at Hannah Holbrook in the kitchen and as a teacher at Burton Elementary to reactivate her teaching credentials. She then worked for over 25 years at Farmington Elementary School teaching multiple grades. Sharon was inducted into the Davis County School District’s Hall of Fame in 1998.

Teaching children was one of Sharon’s greatest joys. In addition to teaching school, Sharon served in primary for many years. It was not uncommon for one of her boys to be talking with someone and when the name "Peffer" came up, the person would ask about Sharon. They would explain that Sharon had been their teacher in elementary school and had made an impact on them or helped them in some way. Another poignant memory Sharon shared was the challenge she faced early in her career teaching while being pregnant. At that time, teachers were not allowed to continue in the classroom if they were pregnant so Sharon would hide her pregnancies from her supervisors for as long as possible.

Family was also very important to Sharon. Throughout her life she stayed close to her children, grandchildren, her relatives and in-laws. Sharon was always there for a wedding, funeral or family reunion. Sharon shared her home with extended family and for many years one relative or another would be staying in her house. Sharon continued to stay involved with her extended family throughout her life, keeping in contact with aunts, uncles and cousins. She especially enjoyed traveling with them and was often tromping around some country with her cousin Ila May Mineer. There were also many trips to Ogden, Portage and Southern Idaho to see extended family and to pass down family memories to her children.

Along with her family and teaching, Sharon loved being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and serving others. Sharon lived the gospel of Jesus Christ and exemplified Christ-like service not only with her family, neighbors and friends, but in her community. Sharon served over 5500 hours at LDS Hospital and volunteered for years in the Bountiful LDS Temple and on Temple Square as a service missionary. Sharon was always aware of the needs of those around her and generously gave of her time, talent and resources to them. Sharon will be fondly remembered by many and greatly missed by those close to her.

Sharon is survived by three of her four boys: Robert, Scott (Angie) and Mike (Cheryl) and 12 grandchildren; Joshua, Megan Perkins (Bryce), Aleah, Ethan, Kyle (Katie), Caleb, Meilani, Aaron, Analei, Matthew, Hailey and Noah. Sharon was preceded in death by her son William and her grandson Zachary.

A viewing for Sharon will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022, 9:30-10:30 am at The Bountiful 18th Ward Chapel (720 E. 550 N. in Bountiful, UT) followed by a funeral at 11:00 am. A broadcast is available at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeXgqmC9a1jmMWH99Pytc8w.

Interment will be at Memorial Lakeview Mortuary and Cemetery 1640 East Lakeview Drive, Bountiful, Utah. Please visit the Memorial Lakeview website at www.memorialutah.com to view the full obituary and share fond memories and expressions of sympathy.