Barbara Kleinman Pettit

Born in Mesa, Maricopa County, Arizona on Sunday 16 September 1928, Barbara (94) passed away peacefully at home on the evening of Tuesday 27 June 2023 in Fruit Heights, Utah, surrounded by her loving family. She was the daughter of Daniel Ray and Winnie Leath (Whipple) Kleinman of Phoenix, Arizona and the beloved widow of Dr. William Alfred Pettit, Jr. (1922-2008). She was preceded in death by her older sister, Gay Killian, of Mesa Arizona, and her younger brother, Lynn Kleinman, of San Diego, California.

Barbara is survived by her four sons, Dr. William Alfred Pettit III, M.D. (Julie) of LaGrande, Oregon; Dr. Robert John Pettit, M.D. (Molly) of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Dr. Richard Glen Pettit (Lori) of Fruit Heights, Utah; and David Alan Pettit (Kim) of Draper, Utah. She has 20 grandchildren (1 deceased), and 32.5 great-grandchildren (1 deceased).

When Barbara was just a year old, her family moved from Mesa to Phoenix, Arizona, where she attended elementary school and North High School. While living in Phoenix, when Barbara was about 10 years old, her parents divorced. In 1941, in the midst of WW2, her family moved to Los Angeles, California, where she graduated from Dorsey High School. Several years later, she graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics.

One spring/summer day in the late 1940’s, Barbara’s mother, Leath, received a phone call from her friend Mildred Pettit, asking if Barbara wanted to go out with her son, Bill, who was a medical intern at the Los Angeles County General Hospital, to go see a show at the Hollywood Bowl. Barbara was a little upset that Bill didn’t call her himself, but she decided to go anyway, and they had a wonderful time. They were sealed for time and all eternity on July 5, 1950, in the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Over the next several years, Barbara joined Bill as he pursued his medical training through the U.S. Navy, to become an Ophthalmologist. They lived in Pensacola, Florida; Jacksonville, Florida; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and St. Louis, Missouri, where they welcomed Trey into their family.

Around 1958, Bill and Barbara moved to Alhambra, California. It was in this home that Barbara welcomed her next two boys, Bobby and Ricky. Several years later, in the mid-1960’s, they moved again to Pasadena, where they lived for the next 40 years and raised their family. While living in this home, Barbara bore her youngest son, David.

Barbara was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout her life. She loved the gospel of Jesus Christ with all her heart and soul. Hers was a life of constant, joyful service to all she came in contact with, whether members of her own family, fellow church members, or complete strangers. All were welcome in her home. Meals for many people were prepared in her kitchen, often for people outside of her own family. Many flower arrangements were also created and dispensed from her home, often from her own rose garden.

Barbara served in many capacities in the church, including Young Women’s teacher, MIA President, Relief Society Secretary, Relief Society President, Junior Sunday school leader, and in several Stake MIA and Primary Presidencies. She also served as a Blazer Scout Leader at both the Ward and Stake levels, and as a temple worker, etc.

Barbara also worked for Pro America, on the local PTA Board, and as a Docent for the Gamble House in Pasadena. After her children were grown and out of the house, she obtained a teaching certificate and taught school for about 11 years, both as an elementary school teacher at a prep school in La Canada, California, and as a substitute teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District.

We look forward to the time we are reunited with her again in the next life, and are so grateful to our Savior, Jesus Christ, for making that future reunion possible!

Funeral services will be held Saturday July 1, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at the Fruit Heights 1st Ward building, located at 901 S Mountain Rd, Fruit Heights, UT 84037. 

Friends may visit with family Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Church.

Interment will take place at the Rose Hills Memorial Park, in Whittier, California.

Services will be live-streamed and may be viewed at the following link:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv9ZFVH1IC4waP-Ct09SRxQ