Thora Peterson Phillips

Thora Peterson Phillips 1915 a€" 2008

SOUTH OGDEN a€" Thora Cleone Peterson Phillips, loving mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, left us on Monday, March 24, 2008 at the age of 93.

She was born in Slaterville, Utah, the daughter of Nephi and Lydia Margaret Cragun Peterson and was the fourth child in a family of nine children. She grew up in Pleasant View, Utah and graduated from Weber High School. She attended Weber State College and the University of Utah, majoring in business administration and management.

Truly a woman before her time, she changed career paths at the age of 43 and began working at Hill Air Force Base where she was employed for 33 years. She became the highest ranked female at the Base and achieved numerous awards including: the Executive Management Award and the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, the highest military honor granted to a civilian. She was known as the "Lady with the Photographic Memory". One of her most difficult but successful endeavors was graduating from the Air War College, a doctorate level program that military Colonels must finish before becoming Generals. Thora also earned the title of Certified Professional Contracts Manager. She held a civilian pilot''s license and enjoyed many hours flying small aircraft. Thora was an active member of the International Training in Communication (ITC) and held many positions including Parliamentarian, Club President, Council President and many International Committee positions.

Thora was a world-wide traveler, golfer and skier. She wrote and published her life story and in it she stated: "My entire life has been a phenomenon! Wonderful parents and siblings. A family unexcelled. Lasting friendships. The opportunity to work; to travel; to experience; to explore; to laugh and to cry. I have been given Life, and I have lived it fervently. My one regret is that I have taken much more than I have given".

Thora is survived by her daughters, Judy Hansen and Carlene Rollo, both of Ogden; Linda Parsons, Denver, CO; six grandchildren, James Wheeler, Ronald Wheeler, Sheri Weaver, Wendi Jackson, Bridger Parsons and Lela Stacie Perkins; 13 great-grandchildren, and one brother, Nephi Arland Peterson, North Ogden. They are all extremely proud of her many life-time accomplishments and the wonderful example she set for them.

She was preceded in death by her parents, seven siblings, her husband James Carl Phillips and longtime friend, Al Hunt.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.

Friends may call at the mortuary on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday 10 to 10:45 a.m.

Interment, Ben Lomond Cemetery, North Ogden, UT.

Email condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com