Frances Irene Peake Killebrew

Frances Irene Peake Killebrew

On January 5, 2011 our dear mother, grandma, great-grandma, sister, and friend, Frances, gratefully completed her long race and went home to be with her kind and loving Lord. She passed away peacefully at home after enduring many years of declining health. She was born February 28, 1926 in Victorville, California to Aleta and Frank Peake. She spent her early years living in this community and working as a bank clerk, among whose patrons were John Wayne and Tennessee Ernie Ford. Many celebrities visited the dude ranch close by the small high desert town. Here, she met and married her lifelong sweetheart John "Jay" Killebrew. They built homes in Victorville and San Bernardino. In 1963 the family moved to Utah when Jay was transferred by the government to the Ogden Defense Depot.

Frances and Jay thoroughly enjoyed their retirement together. They were metal detecting enthusiasts, loved to attend a good garage sale, always on the look-out for a valuable collectable. Friends and neighbors all looked forward to the yard sales Jay and Fran would have several times a year. Fran could always recall the retail value of any antique they found. She loved to play cards, and hosted her pinochle club regularly. She took great care to always make her home welcoming and comfortable. She thoroughly devoted herself to being Jay''s constant companion and biggest fan. Jay preceded her in death in January, 2005 after 56 years of marriage.

Frances inspired those who knew her by her honest, patient, and gentle personality and it can be truly said that to know her was to love her and to be loved by her. She was always a mentor, moral compass, and tolerant friend to her children and grandchildren. She taught by example. She graciously gave of her time and herself. Even people who only came to know her in her last months of life grew to care for her deeply. Thank you sweet Frances for your constant love and encouragement. Thank you Jesus for the blessing she was and is to our lives. We are confident she now is enjoying true peace in your loving arms and is rejoicing in the "great gain" of which the Apostle Paul spoke.

Fran is survived by her children Julie Ann and Garth (Claudia), her grandchildren Sara (Nate), Matthew, and Jon-Michael (Brianna), her great-grandchildren Kayleigh, Jennifer, Brittainy, Claire, Makayla, and Isaiah. She is also survived by her beloved sister Lenore.

Memorial services will held Saturday, January 8, 2011 at 4 p.m. at the Roy Christian Church, 4347 S. 1900 W., Roy. Funeral Directors, Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Frances'' caregivers: Gina, Isabelle, Tammy and Jill. They are all sweet compassionate women who patiently and gently helped care for Fran in her last months. Each served her as God''s own angels.

In lieu of flowers, Frances would like donations made to the Utah Food Bank or to No More Homeless Pets.