Peggy Ann Bell Burningham—our dear mother, Grammy, and friend—returned peacefully home to her Heavenly Father on the morning of Wednesday, January 2, 2019, at age 85.
The youngest of seven children, Peggy was born in Ogden, Utah, on July 22, 1933, to Robert Wilson Bell and Ethel Elsie Butler Bell. She graduated from Weber High School in 1951 and shortly set off on an adventure working in Washington, D.C.. While there, Peggy met and fell in love with Paul Smith Burningham. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on November 2, 1955. They soon became parents—first to twin boys and then to a baby girl. Peggy had wanted to become a mother since her early years, and she loved caring for her family and creating a beautiful, orderly home. Peggy and Paul lived in Salt Lake City, Utah, and St. Louis, Missouri, while Paul attended dental school. After stints in Colorado, California, and Nevada, the family finally settled in Turlock, California. It was in Turlock that Peggy first began pursuing her own college degree. At the age of 60, she completed this lifelong goal and received a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Brigham Young University.
Peggy faithfully served in her church in many capacities, but her favorite callings were with the Young Women’s Organization, where she served as teacher, Ward Young Women’s President, Stake Young Women’s President, and even Stake Girls’ Camp Head Cook. Our Grammy was a talented homemaker, a skillful hostess, and a hard worker. She tirelessly gave her time and service, and she never stopped until the job was well done.
Peggy and Paul made their final move to Meridian, Idaho, in 2000. In Idaho they continued to serve in their congregation, as missionaries assigned to the Boise State Institute of Religion and as workers in the LDS Temple in Boise.
Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and husband. She is survived by her children Paul Gregory (Lorie), of St Augustine, FL; Mark Douglas (LaShel), of Eagle, ID; and Jill (Richard) Taylor, of Modesto, CA; her 11 grandchildren; and her 13 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service for Peggy was held Friday, January 25, 2019, in Meridian, Idaho. Interment will be at 2 pm on Saturday, January 26 at the West Weber Cemetery, West Weber, Utah. A second memorial service follows at 3 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 3271 West 2550 South, Haven, Utah.
Donations in memory of Peggy may be made to LDS Philanthropies, give.ldsp.org/memoriam. The family wishes to thank the staff at Paramount Parks, Drs. Kim Tanabe and Gretchen Kohler, and St Luke’s Hospice for their kindness. Peggy loved you all. We love you still.
Arrangements under direction of the Relyea Funeral Chapel, 318 N Latah St, Boise, Idaho.
