Jeanne Baird Carter

Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Jeanne Baird Andersen Carter, passed away on June 25, 2025, at the age of 93, surrounded by family, including all five of her daughters.

Jeanne was born on April 4,1932, in Provo, Utah, the daughter of Reuben Andersen and Ruby Baird, who passed away when Jeanne was a young teenager. Reuben later married Estella Lenora Berg, who became a loving mother and grandmother to Jeanne and her girls. She married George Ross Carter on September 17, 1965, in the Salt Lake Temple. Jeanne’s early education took place in Provo, Utah, and she graduated from Sierra Joint Union High School in Tollhouse (Fresno County), California, in 1950. Jeanne attended Brigham Young University for two years before obtaining a nursing degree from the University of Utah in 1955.

From 1956 to 1958, Jeanne fulfilled a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Central America, serving in El Salvador and Guatemala. After returning home, she earned a Master’s Degree in Health Education from BYU, where she later taught in the School of Nursing. She continued working in the medical field in Provo, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and Wendover. The majority of her career was spent in the Postpartum Unit of LDS Hospital, where she cared for mothers and newborns. Jeanne loved the Spanish language and used it almost daily in her professional life and volunteer service.

Jeanne had a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Plan of Salvation, and the Atonement. She was a faithful member of the Cottonwood 4th Ward, Big Cottonwood Stake, and served in nearly every position possible. Her favorite callings were Primary teacher, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and visiting teacher. Most recently, she served as a Church Service Missionary for seven years, welcoming visitors to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Jeanne loved working in her flower and vegetable gardens, taking road trips with Ross across the country to visit daughters and grandchildren, and, after his passing in 2006, setting off on many around-the-world adventures with her girls. One of her greatest joys was sitting in the Celestial Room during the 2011 dedication of the San Salvador, El Salvador Temple, where she reunited with those to whom she had taught the gospel. Jeanne followed BYU sports with unwavering enthusiasm, celebrating every win and enduring every loss with true blue spirit. Watching games together became one of her most treasured family rituals. She had a tender heart for animals and always had a cat or dog by her side. Her pets were more than companions—they were part of the family.

Our mom had an adventurous spirit and a deep love for the outdoors. Well into her golden years, she would say that when she grew up she wanted to be a forest ranger. Even at 90 years old, she still was camping beneath the Tetons and floating down her beloved Crystal Creek. This annual trip, which began when we were young, brings together all her favorite people—her children and grandchildren—and it will continue to give us a reason to gather, remember, and celebrate her lasting legacy.

Jeanne is survived by her five daughters: Laura Carter, Karen Carter, Jennifer Rudd, Elizabeth (Erik) Ence, and Rebecca Carter; her honorary daughters, Valarie (Tony) Peterman and Ofelia (Scott) Allen; thirteen grandchildren: Jackson (Oakley), McKay, Parker, Cannon, and Skyler Rudd; Elodie, Alexa, David (Grace), Ashlyn, Weston, Grayson, Kiersten, and Aiden Ence; her sister- and brother-in-law, Susan and James Call; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Reuben and Ruby Andersen and Estella Andersen; her husband, Ross; and her sisters and brothers-in-law: baby Ellen Andersen, Margaret and John Wadsworth, and Ann and Don Burningham.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the Cottonwood 4th Ward Chapel, 5565 S. Neighbor Lane, Holladay, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. in the same building. Burial will be at the Provo City Cemetery, 610 South State Street.

We are grateful to the Symbii Home Health and Hospice caregivers—especially Gur, Lori, and Teresa—whose compassionate support allowed us to keep our mom in her home of 55 years until her final breath.

We love you forever, Mom. We cherish you always, Grandma.