WHITE, Sarah (Sally)

Bunker Family Funeral & Cremation, Mesa, Arizona Sarah White December 13, 1918 ~ August 18, 2013 Sarah “Sally” Petersen White crossed over gracefully in her sleep during the early morning hours of August 18, 2013. She was 94 years old. She was born the second daughter of Orson Erastus and Sylvia Petersen on December 14, 1918 in Hyrum Utah. The young family migrated to Mar Vista, California in 1921 and eventually numbered five adult children. As a girl of 14, she played a character named “Sally” in the school play. Her father started calling her Sally around the house too, and the name stuck. She has been “Sally” to everyone ever since. She attended Venice High School where she played on the soccer team, and about the same time met a boy named Al White who would, ten years later, become her husband. They married on October 7, 1942 making the long trip across the desert on gas rations to be sealed in the Mesa LDS Temple. During World War II, Sally joined husband Al stationed at Fort Demming, New Mexico, where she worked as secretary to the base chaplain. Sally loved music. She was accomplished on both the piano and organ, serving as pianist and organist in her wards and temple. She had a beautiful soprano voice and enjoyed singing many years in both the Southern California Mormon Choir and Arizona Mormon Choir. She delighted in being a part of the original production and cast recording of Saturday’s Warrior. Sally fulfilled two full-time missions: the first to Toronto as a young girl; the second to South Carolina with her husband-companion in their maturity. She taught early morning seminary in Southern California and touched the lives of many young women as MIA and Laurel leader. Those who knew her— whether in her prime or her maturity—will say she touched their lives with light, peace and love. That was her constant gift to everyone. She was very proud of her valiant pioneer ancestors and their legacy. She was an active charter member of the Desert Sage Camp of the International Society of Daughters of Utah Pioneers. But no other role fulfilled Sally White nearly as much as being a mother, and grandmother and great-grandmother. It can truly be said that she lived for her family. Her sons, and later her extended progeny, have been the center of her life and love. She loved nothing more than having them around her. Sally’s great love for family extended to those who preceded her as well as her posterity. She is preceded in death by her husband, Alvin L. White, with whom she relished 54 years of marriage, and a sister, Lois Petersen Manwaring. She is survived by two other sisters, Elise Petersen Grabhorn Faulkner and Joanne Petersen Murray, a brother, Rodney Petersen, her four sons, John, Peter (Lynne Gallafent White), James (Glenna Rae Walker White), David, 12 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren, to whom she is known as “Nana.” Memorial services will be held Saturday, August 24, 2013 at the Mesa Central Stake Center, 925 N. Harris Drive, Mesa, Arizona. A viewing will begin at 10 AM, with chapel service starting at 11AM. Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel.