Cherie Dee Fitzgerald Petersen

March 24, 1938 - January 25, 2021

Cherie Dee Fitzgerald Petersen, our beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Aunt, Sister and Friend, passed away on January 25, 2021 after a hard fought battle with the complications of cancer. She passed away at her home of more than 60 years in Sandy Utah. She was born on March 24, 1938 in Spokane Washington. Cherie was preceded in death by her mother, Florence Diana, her father, Ray R. Fitzgerald, and her sisters, Penny Diana and Margo Fitzgerald. She is survived by her brothers, Ray Fitzgerald and Frank Diana, her loving, compassionate husband Norman Dell, her children Kirk (Angela) Petersen, Cheryl (Blaine Alan) Awerkamp, Corby (Krista) Petersen and Daryl (Jennifer) Petersen. At this time, there are 29 grandchildren (12 of which are spouses of grandchildren, but are considered as grandchildren), a married great granddaughter, 34 more great grandchildren, with an additional three to be born this year. Her posterity is a wonderful legacy for an amazing lady. Cherie’s family was everything to her. Our entire family loved her dearly and will miss her very much. Cherie grew up mostly in Draper, where she enjoyed being around her many relatives there. She was a third generation Beetdigger graduating from Jordan High School, followed by two more generations of Beetdiggers. She met the love of her life at Jordan High School. It was always a special place for her. As a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Cherie had many callings. She loved teaching Primary songs to the children with big colorful posters. For over 20 years she served as the Compassionate Service Leader, providing hundreds of meals for many activities. She was an expert at getting the best foods delivered to each event. When Dell was called as Bishop, the ward received two servants with Cherie as “Mrs Bishop”. Cherie worked many years in the PTA, with two years as President at Sandy Elementary. She was a forever Avon lady. Cherie was also a Distribution Manager for the old Jordan Valley Sentinel weekly paper. After all the kids left home, she worked the lunch shift at the venerated Raphael’s Restaurant in Sandy, where her customers loved her as well. Cherie loved to travel with Dell to see museums, zoos, gardens and all types of nature’s beauty wherever they went. She sent lots of postcards filled with tiny printing about their adventures. Cherie enjoyed many years of lunches with her girlfriends, Evelyn, Lorna, Sylvia and Erma from Jordan High and the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers group. Being a Mother and Grandmother was the ultimate accomplishment for Cherie. Nothing gave her more joy than to be with her grandchildren, especially the babies. Cherie was a temple worker at the Jordan River temple for 5 years. She served a church service mission following this with her husband Dell. The family would like to thank The Utah Cancer Specialists and Dr. Whisenant, along with Quality Home and Health Care and their special “Angels” Becky Johnson, Becky 2 and Alexis. Their highly professional and tender care was greatly appreciated. On January 30, 2021 a Viewing will be held from 11:00-12:30 followed by the Funeral from 1:00-2:00 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 9331 S 300 E in Sandy, Utah. Covid-19 protocols will be followed and attendees will be limited to immediate family, but Remote viewing of the funeral service will be available at Zoom: Interment will follow after the Funeral at Larkin Sunset Gardens, the address is 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy Utah. Please share memories and condolences at www.serenityfhs.com.