Berdine Peters Morley

Berdine Peters Morley passed away at home on August 24, 2026, at the age of 91. She was born October 1, 1934, to Aaron Thomas Peters and Erma Elizabeth Allen. She was one of four children: Duane, Colleen, and her younger brother, Ferrell.

She grew up in Perry and Brigham City, Utah, during the Great Depression and World War II, a time when her parents worked tirelessly to provide even the basic necessities of food, clothing, and shelter. Despite the hardships, Berdine’s childhood was filled with simple comforts and meaningful experiences. She fondly recalled the family cooking on a coal stove, using a wringer washing machine, a two-seated outhouse, browsing Sears catalogs, and Saturday night baths in a small metal tub in the kitchen. Food was kept cool in a makeshift box placed in the creek by their home.

Her mother worked at the Perry cannery and would come home at lunchtime to care for her young children and prepare the meals. Her father worked on the streetcar but lost his job during the Depression and later lost his savings in the bank crash that followed. Even through these difficult times, Berdine remembered her childhood as a happy one. She learned from her parents the values of resilience and how to make do or do without.

Her happiest memories included sleigh rides, occasional trips to Ogden, and five-cent double scoops of ice cream at the local drugstore. She gathered eggs, rode horseback with her brother to bring neighbors’ cows in from the pasture, and spent time with friends in their small two-room schoolhouse and at church Primary.

After second grade, her family moved to Brigham City into her grandparents’ home to help care for them. They later purchased the home and paid it off in just three years. It felt like a great blessing—a lovely house with hot and cold running water and an indoor bathroom. The family rented a room to Army wives who came to be near their wounded husbands staying at Bushnell Army Hospital.

Berdine also remembered the realities of wartime life: food stamps, ration books for gas and sugar, trading comic books with friends, and the rare treat of a piece of chewing gum, which was carefully saved to be enjoyed again later.

During her school years, family life centered on hard work and self-reliance. Berdine helped plant gardens, pick fruit, and preserve food for the winter. She babysat for 25 cents to earn money for school, clothes, and activities, which included roller skating, baton twirling, church events, dances, and time with friends. She graduated from Box Elder High School.

The Monday following her graduation, she began working as a telephone operator for Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company, earning $32.50 a week. She continued in that role for eight years, until the system converted to self-dial in 1959. During those years, she enjoyed the money, close friendships, traveling, and the pleasure of buying new clothes.

After leaving her job, Berdine moved to Salt Lake City and attended LDS Business College. While living in the Los Gables apartments, she met Larry James Morley. They were married on September 16, 1960, in the Logan Temple. At that time, Larry was attending the University of Utah, and they later moved to Logan so he could continue at Utah State University.

Their early married life was marked by sacrifice and frugality. After Larry graduated, their first child, Robyn, was born. He accepted a teaching position in Dugway, Utah, where their second child, Allen, was born. A new opportunity later took them to Centerville, Utah, where they purchased a small home and welcomed their third child, Kelly. Living on a teacher’s salary required careful budgeting, and Berdine lovingly made many of the family’s Christmas gifts by hand, including doll clothes, Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, and small furniture pieces.

In December 1968, they moved to their final home in Bountiful, Utah. Larry transitioned from teaching into the insurance industry, which brought greater financial stability. Their family was complete with the births of Jeff and Chad, making one daughter and four sons.

Berdine was deeply involved in her children’s lives and activities. She supported years of scouting for the boys, Little League baseball, and soccer games. She served for several years as the 4-H leader for her daughter, Robyn. She enjoyed doing many school projects and reports for and with her children. She taught all her children the value of hard work and gratitude for what they had.

Travel became an important part of their lives, beginning with a trip to Mexico that Larry earned through his work in insurance. That experience sparked a lifelong love of travel, leading to additional trips to Hawaii, Mexico, and eventually around the world. After their children were grown, Berdine and Larry visited every U.S. state, traveled to Europe several times and to Asia, enjoyed numerous cruises, and made 29 trips to Hawaii. She would share how much traveling educated her. Seeing how the rest of the world lived brought great appreciation for her home and country. Ever mindful of their frugal roots, they traveled using airline miles and credit card rewards and dined at McDonald’s around the world.

Berdine was talented and generous in her creativity. She made quilts and crocheted afghans for her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed ceramics and created piggy banks for each grandchild, gifting them every Christmas. She gave ornaments, remembered every birthday, and found joy in thoughtful giving. She also sold Avon for many years, building lasting friendships as she delivered door-to-door. Her granddaughters especially loved exploring her Avon treasures.

Holidays in Berdine’s home were always warm and memorable. She took pride in maintaining a clean home and a beautiful yard, and her children grew up learning the value of Saturday chores and spring cleaning. She led by example, always serving her family with love and dedication. Her personal model was, “To go the second mile, and anything worth doing is worth doing well.”

Throughout her life, Berdine faithfully served in her church, including the Relief Society and Young Women’s for several years. She was also an active member of the PTA, holding various leadership roles. For 27 years, every Thursday, she volunteered at the Relief Society Building and later at the Church Office Building, where she served as a tour guide. She loved meeting people there from all over the country and world.

She had a lifelong love of dancing and, later in life, joined the Dancing Grannies, tap dancing and performing throughout the valley. They were asked to audition for “America’s Got Talent” but declined. She loved the friendship, exercise, and morning tapping practice until COVID brought those activities to a close.

Berdine was always a devoted genealogist and record keeper, carefully documenting family histories so future generations would know their heritage and learn from the lives of their ancestors. This work was deeply important to her, and she found great purpose in preserving it.

Berdine lived in a rapidly changing world full of innovations in machinery, appliances, telephones, computers, the internet, and space exploration. She grew and changed with all of these. The one thing that never changed was her devotion to family and God. She lived a life defined by faith, devotion, and always serving others.

In her final years, she was lovingly cared for by her devoted husband of nearly 66 years and her children, just as she had lovingly cared for each of them throughout her life. Her family was her greatest joy. The love, faith, and example she gave will remain with them forever.

She leaves behind her beloved husband, Larry James Morley, and her children: Robyn (Brent McRae); Allen (Caroline Robbins, deceased); Kelly (Charmaine Pay); Jeff (Chantelle McKendrick); and Chad (Julie Lemmon); 14 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held Friday, August 28, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Bountiful City Cemetery in Bountiful, Utah.