Mary JoAnn Arnold Petersen

Mary JoAnn Arnold Petersen passed away peacefully on Monday, July 27, 2026, at Covington Senior Living Center, surrounded by the love and memories of a life devoted to faith, family, and service.

JoAnn was born on January 23, 1936, in Los Angeles, California, to Bruce Arnold and Martha Porter Arnold. She was the middle of three children, with an older sister, Arline, and a younger brother, Frank.

She spent her childhood in a small home on Mount Washington overlooking Los Angeles, where she and her beloved sister Arline spent countless hours exploring the hills and the Arroyo Seco. Family was always central to JoAnn's life, and she shared especially close relationships with her grandmother and aunt, who lived nearby and helped shape her early years.

On May 6, 1944, JoAnn was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, beginning a lifelong journey of faith and discipleship. Later, her family moved to Montrose, California, where she attended Glendale High School.

It was through a Church youth activity that JoAnn met the love of her life and eternal companion, Edward Harry Petersen. Their friendship quickly blossomed into a lifelong partnership. While Eddie served in the United States Navy, they became engaged, and on August 23, 1955, they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.

The newlyweds began their married life in Corpus Christi, Texas, where Eddie was stationed. Following his discharge from the Navy in August 1956, they moved to Provo, Utah, where Eddie attended Brigham Young University. Their first child, Mark Edward Petersen, was born in October of 1956, followed by Reid Aaron Petersen in April of 1958.

After Eddie graduated from BYU, the family moved to Berkeley and later Albany, California, while he attended law school. During those years, they welcomed their first daughter, Arlene Karen Petersen, in November of 1959. After law school, the family settled in Southern California, living in San Diego, La Mirada, and eventually Whittier, where their youngest daughter, Beth Ann Petersen, was born in June of 1963.

JoAnn found her greatest joy in creating a loving home for her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother whose love was felt in countless quiet acts of kindness, encouragement, and sacrifice. After many years as a homemaker, she joined her husband's law practice as his legal secretary, where they continued their partnership both at home and at work.

Throughout her life, JoAnn faithfully served in numerous callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served as a Junior Sunday School teacher, Primary President, Relief Society instructor and presidency member, Young Women president, temple ordinance worker, and senior missionary in both the Dominican Republic and the Nauvoo temples. Alongside Eddie, she was also called to serve as matron of the Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Temple. Together they devoted more than 33 years of temple service in the Los Angeles, Santo Domingo, Nauvoo, and Newport Beach temples.

JoAnn was a gifted organizer, teacher, and leader. She poured her talents into countless Church productions and activities, including the beloved Road Shows. Her crowning achievement was directing and producing The Life of Christ, a production that touched many lives and reflected her deep testimony of the Savior. She also served as president of the California Utah Women philanthropic organization.

She possessed remarkable creativity and many talents. She loved oil painting, sewing, cake decorating, cooking, baking, genealogy, and writing personal histories for herself and her ancestors. She found great joy in serving others and preserving family stories. She treasured opportunities to travel, especially to Israel, where she experienced many deeply spiritual moments while walking where the Savior walked, as well as visits to possible Book of Mormon sites.

Family adventures created treasured memories through camping, beach vacations, white-water rafting, snorkeling, road trips along the Pacific Coast, travels to Utah, and explorations throughout Western Canada. JoAnn embraced life with enthusiasm, humor, curiosity, and a spirit of adventure.

Before accepting their call to serve in the Dominican Republic Temple, JoAnn and Eddie sold their longtime home in Whittier. Upon returning to the United States, they settled in Yorba Linda, California, a home that JoAnn dearly loved and often described as the perfect place for them.

In recent years, health challenges led to several moves, first to an assisted living community in Logan, Utah, and later to the home of her daughter Beth in Kingwood, Texas. Following a devastating fall while visiting California for the dedication of the Yorba Linda Temple, she was transferred to a care facility in Orem, Utah, where she peacefully completed her earthly journey.

JoAnn's life was defined by unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. Her testimony was the foundation upon which she built her life, her marriage, and her family. She was compassionate, talented, funny, adventurous, and endlessly generous. She loved deeply—especially her beloved Eddie, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. The only love that surpassed her devotion to her husband was her love for her Savior and Heavenly Father.

Though her family will miss her dearly, they rejoice in the knowledge that she has been reunited with her beloved Eddie and that her legacy of faith, love, and service will continue to bless generations to come.

JoAnn is survived by her children, Mark Edward Petersen, Reid Aaron Petersen, Arlene Karen Petersen, and Beth Ann Petersen; numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edward Harry Petersen.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah. A viewing will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Salt Lake City Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest beside the love of her life, Eddie, as they await a joyful resurrection together.

Those wishing to view the service via Zoom can click "Watch Service" of follow the link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85987380483