Peggy Jean Goodsell Major

I passed away on October 19, 2023

I was born on a fall day on September 4, 1946, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

My parents are Robert Joseph Goodsell and Lucille Hunt Goodsell. I am a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and a caring friend.

As a child I enjoyed playing outdoor games like kick-the-can, tag, and red-rover, red-rover send Peggy right over, with my older brother and neighborhood friends. I also enjoyed riding my bicycle, hopscotch, jump-the-rope, and roller skating outdoors. I had a fun childhood.
I enjoyed the LDS Ward I grew up in and loved our Bishop Bateman and church teachers.

I attended Jackson Elementary, Glendale Elementary, Glendale Junior High, and the South High School, graduating class of 1964 and graduated Seminary in 1964. At South High School, I enjoyed being a Southern Bell with the marching team.

I lived in Salt Lake City, Utah until I married Ronald Major on January 14, 1965, in the Salt Lake City Temple. At that time, we made our home in the Sugar House area of the Salt Lake Valley. After a few years, we bought our first home in the Rose Park area, then built our next home in Midvale, and then settled in a new home in Sandy, Utah.

I enjoyed sewing clothes for myself and my children when they were young (dresses, rompers, pajamas, nightgowns, slips, etc). I made flannel blankets for my grandchildren each Christmas for many years.

I loved roses, tulips, and chrysanthemums. My husband maintained a beautiful rose garden in our yard in Sandy for over 30 years. I enjoyed looking at our roses every day, either outside or from our family room and kitchen windows indoors.

I was active in the school PTA; I served as Vice-President and Secretary. I served on the Sandy City Museum Board of Trustees for four years. I held several LDS Church positions; Primary Councilor, Secretary, Ward Activities Leader, Young Women’s Beehive Teacher, Cub Scout Den Leader, but my favorite church position was Relief Society Secretary and Visiting Teacher. I loved the sisters I served with; they were such wonderful, caring ladies.

I was employed at various jobs that gave me great opportunities in my life. My first job (other than tending children) was during my senior year of high school at a local Drug Store as a cashier and it had one of those old-fashioned soda fountain counters where you sat on a stool at the counter and could order a soda, milkshake or sandwich. Then I worked at ZCMI for a few months. I worked at Bank of Utah for four years and was the Sandy Branch manager for the last six months of employment. I worked at the Building and Planning Department at Draper City for a year and worked for the State of Utah for 28 years, working at the State Tax Commission, Motor Vehicle Department; the Health Department in the Cancer Screening Program; Department of Corrections located at the Draper Prison and also located at Camp Williams; Department of Human Services (established paternity and child support orders, I loved this job, to help children find out who their father is, this was so rewarding to me). While working at Camp Williams I had the opportunity to fly in a Black Hawk fighter helicopter for ½ hour with the doors open on the side so that we could see out below. That was a ride to remember.

I am thankful for my ancestors that came across the ocean in 1620 on the May Flower (John Alden and Priscilla Mullins, she almost married Miles Standish until she said “Speak for yourself John”) and thankful also for being a descendant of many Mormon Pioneers ancestors who endured so much by wagon and handcart to come to Utah before the railroad in 1869. My ancestors came between 1848 to 1856. The last group was in the Martin-Harris handcart survivors. I am in the 5th – 7th generation of those Pioneers (Draper, Hunt Cook, Staker, Pulsipher, Fowler, Finch). I can hardly wait to meet my strong and faithful ancestors, the Pilgrims, and the Pioneers.

I apologize if I hurt you in any way or if I was not there when you needed me. I did my best at the time. And now… I wait for you to come and join me with our Brother Jesus and our Heavenly Father. See you then. I love you all very much!
Preceded in death by parents and brother Robert (Brent) Goodsell.

Survived by my much-loved husband, Ron, and children; Blake (Monica), Holly Yeh (Eng), and Crystal Roberts (David). Grandchildren: Amber (Dylan), Andrew (Lexi), Chalece, Chantel, Noah, and Gabriel. Great grandchildren: Grayson, Easton, Levi, River, Hudson, and Calia.

I have requested a short service for family and close friends; to be held at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, Utah. If you come, please enjoy the beautiful view of our Wasatch Mountains, that is what I like at this cemetery, plus the peacefulness, love, and respect I feel at every cemetery.

I know this is lengthy, but I want you to know more about me. “Happy Trails to you, til we meet again”.

In lieu of flowers, please hug a family member or a friend, go out, and enjoy dinner and good conversation together. “Love you”

The family wants to say a special thank you to Quality Home Health & Hospice and the staff at Sunrise of Sandy who took great care of Peggy at the end.