Patricia Ann Prather

Our Pat, Patricia Ann Petersen, came to earth singing! I think even the angels in the heavenly choir were sad to see her go because of her God-given voice which she was blessed to share to the world. Pat is the youngest of seven children and the daughter of Royes and Elva Petersen. She was born in Brigham city on June 18, 1946 and then raised in Las Vegas. After she graduated high school, she decided to go to college at B.Y.U. where she was brought many opportunities to pursue her love of music, singing and the arts. She was blessed to be a part of the ‘performing program Bureau’ at B.Y.U. where she participated in a U.S.O tour and sang to the military troops all around Germany and other regions in the area. She was blessed with a glorious high C which Janie Thompson, her program director, used to her advantage any chance she got. “I could have danced all night” from My fair lady never sounded more glorious! She was so beautiful in voice and physique she could’ve played Eliza herself in the movies.
Pat also had a dream to perform on Broadway and after about a year at B.Y.U. she decided to venture out on her own in pursuit to fulfill her dream of performing on the big stage. She went not knowing a soul and found a job at a law firm while she would go on a couple (cattle calls) auditions to get her feet wet, but because of health issues decided to come back home. Despite not being able to perform on the ‘big stage’ she had many wonderful experiences participating in her ward and meeting new friends that have lasted even to this day!
Pat came home and decided to try her hand at becoming a medical assistant which she enjoyed and loved working with her patients. But that performing bug never left. The Lord granted her dream to work with true professionals and cast members who had worked on Broadway. Since New York didn’t work out how she’d hoped, Broadway came to her. She was cast in many shows as the leading role and even got to work with the famous Christopher Hewitt, famously known as Belvedere in the sitcom Belvedere, at Pioneer Theatre Company as her director.
Some of her favorite roles were ‘Polly’ in Three penny Opera; ‘Laetiia’ in The old maid and the thief at the Babcock theatre; ‘Tuptim’ and Lady Thiang in The King and I at Pioneer Theatre company and the Triad center; ‘Marsinah’ in Kismet at Pioneer Theatre company; Corie in Barefoot in the park at Greenbriar theatre and Nimue in Camelot at Promise Valley playhouse working with the incomparable Robert Petersen.
Performing also became a family affair and she and her sister Gae performed together every weekend in Park city at the Silver wheel, now known as the Egyptian theatre. They would do slap stick melodrama and had sooo much fun teasing the audience and each other, making memories that would last a life time.
Well, as far as keeping performing in the family, she was introduced to her future husband Gary Jackson while playing Frau Shraeder (Captain von trapp’s fiancé) and He playing the audacious Max Detweiler friend of Captain Von Trapp, in The Sound of Music. They dated a couple of years on and off and then finally decided to take the plunge and were married on October 30, 1976 and later sealed in the Salt Lake temple.
Pat never really dreamed of becoming a mother but the Lord surprised her with two girls (twins) on Oct. 17, 1977 and she always would say “she got two for the price of one!!” Her girls and Gary became her life and performing as a family never stopped. Gary had a recording studio where he would cast and direct the Living scripture animations along with recording, casting and directing dramatizations of the Bible, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants. He even used his girls to cry on queue in one of the scenes. Pat lent her gift of voice-over work when she was cast to play Mary all through the New Testament series. Mary seemed to keep following her - she played the voice of Mary in “The King is Born” in the Living Scripture animated movie where she conveyed the innocence, strength, love and trust in God that Mary would’ve had to have had, and carried these qualities through her own life to her family and girls. After moving from Salt Lake to Centerville they moved to Draper which become their forever home. Both she and Gary served on the Draper Arts Council together for many years with Gary doing the sets and sound and Pat playing leading roles, such as ‘Marian’ in The Music Man, ‘Glinda’ in The Wiz and Widow Corney in Oliver with her family and girls trailing right behind. They learned by watching their mother and felt so excited and proud of her when they got to share the stage with her. Gary would be in charge of making sure the sound was just perfect.
Pat also was given another opportunity when she and Gary transitioned to new roles in each other’s lives. In 1997 she married John Prather who shared his love of music and singing right along with her and they too got to experience performing together. John loved her very much and even serenaded her outside her bedroom window! He transitioned to the next stage of his progression in 2012
Pat, when finding herself in yet another new stage of life, cultivated even more of her god given gifts that brought others and herself great joy. She loved writing and would get together with her sister Gae, and their writing group, and share and exchange ideas about their writings- they would laugh and laugh together. She loved writing goofy poems and short stories about anything and everything - even about cats. She was a cat lover through and through and when Melissa (her daughter) moved in, she considered Melissa’s cats her grand- fur-babies that she took such great care of while Melissa was working. Almost every night their ritual was to play with the plastic candy cane with Bobbi behind the bathroom door and they would laugh and laugh until Bobbi would throw it back to them with his paw. Bobbi and India truly brought her so much joy and she loved how Bobbi greeted her every morning pawing up her leg to get her attention. India also held a very special place in Pat’s heart and wherever Pat was, India was not far behind. She would either be on her lap or right next to her on her cushion in the chair. She would always remind her daughter that they were both ‘Seniors’ together and to show some patience.
Pat was also given the gift of decorating and could change any and every room in her home into a masterpiece. She had a knack for being very frugal that she was very proud of. She had a gift for being very resourceful and would find her treasures often at the DI and Saver’s where she would find the most random things that many times, she made work. Her family was amazed and also became the recipients of many of these new found treasures. At times, a little eye rolling ensued, but deep down they knew they were given with such thoughtfulness and love, that they would accept with a smile and sometimes a twinge in their gut.
She also loved her cooking and home improvement shows where she would come up with new ideas she wanted to try out. She never considered herself a cook but her watching and learning paid off and her family would look forward to what new concoction she would come up with. As far as home improvements went, well, let’s just say the gazebo and shed were finally demolished in her backyard happily by her always willing family that had to convince her that the rotting wood may not be ideal to preserve for ions of time.
Pat also found joy throughout her life being able to serve in the temple, as well a
mission on temple square with her late husband John. She also served in the Sandy and Draper senior centers and delivered meals-on-wheels to those in need who became like family to her. She also got to serve the primary children in her ward by playing primary songs at their baptisms that always brought a smile to her face.
She showed a zest for life and a child-like love that was contagious. Even though at times she struggled physically and emotionally, she always was able to appreciate and express the love she felt for all of God’s beauty and creations on earth. She never stopped thanking and expressing her appreciation to God for all the gifts He gave and continued to give in her life. Most importantly to be admired was Pat’s giving heart; she never stopped thinking of someone else whom she could lift, help and love. She would take over a gift or write a special card just so that that person knew they were thought of and loved. She had many friends that were recipients of her love that will never be forgotten.
Pat was very special and very loved! Her radiating smile and love for all will live on. Gary became her confidant, best friend and Savior in many ways up until her passing that truly will always live on. That love, respect and admiration for each other always stayed in tack and will remain forever until they meet again.
Just hours before she was asked to go home, she was surrounded by her two daughters Jamie and Melissa, who got to give back what she gave to them all their lives - The gift of singing. They were given the privilege to hold each one of her hands, together, at her bedside, sing to her and tell her how thankful they were for her and express how much they loved her, and loved her beyond measure, and thank her for giving them life. They got to be there for her like she was for them all those forty-three years ago, when they decided to come to earth. Now they had to trust her choice, God, and her family that were waiting to greet her on the other side. This would be her chosen miracle where she would feel the utmost healing, joy and love she would ever experience in this life and was ready to experience.
She was peacefully and quietly summoned to go back to her anxiously awaiting family on August 13 at 7:38 in the morning. We have no doubt she was greeted warmly and happily by her family. Father Royes and Mother Elva Petersen and siblings (Royes Jr.) Pete, Gae, Donna, Boyd Alan, Colleen, and Stephen with warm smiles and open arms.
We love you Pat! Until we meet again. You will never ever be forgotten. You will live on through all the lives you have influenced and touched. Let the show continue on and you, always as our guiding star…