Phoebe Eason

Phoebe Jean (Pedersen) Eason passed away on November 9th, 2026, after a long period of illness and declining health. She lived a long and full life, most of it spent with her husband Richard. Never one to shy away from a water or food fight (often being the instigator), she had a lot of fun with her family over the years. She was hard-working, diligent in her faith, fiercely independent, and self-reliant. Some of her joys in life were working in her garden and spending time with the grandchildren.

Phoebe was born on the 8th of April 1943 as the tenth child of Oliver Cowdery Pedersen and Phoebe Gold Gedge. Her brother stated that she had the privilege of being born in a hospital. She experienced tragedy early in her life when her mother passed away when she was five. That difficult experience stayed with Phoebe for the rest of her life and always made her concerned that she didn’t know how to be a mother, even though she did a great job raising her children. She spent some of the next few years being raised by her grandmother, but her desire to be with her family prevailed. She returned to be with her father, brothers, and sisters. Her impact on her siblings and their relationships were long-lasting and fulfilling.

She graduated from Granger High School in 1961 and continued her studies at BYU, where she graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in music education. She spent eight years teaching 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. After receiving her master’s degree in counseling from BYU in 1973, she transitioned to being the guidance counselor for the school for the next two years. During these years, she made an impact on many students, and some would came to visit her for the rest of her life.

Church service started early for Phoebe. She received her first calling at the age of 12 as the primary pianist, then became the Sunday school pianist during Jr. high school and the Ward organist while in high school. She also served as the Relief Society and Primary President. Her service continued at both the ward and stake levels and in the temple until her failing health prevented her from continuing.

Phoebe Jean married George Richard Eason on December 30th, 1975, and became a stepmom to six children. She later had three children with Richard and continued to teach in the early years of their marriage while Richard attended Podiatry school in Chicago. Even though her formal teaching years ended after Chicago, her teaching never ended. There were all the hours spent helping her children with their own studies, as well as tutoring other children that needed to improve their performance in school. She always tried to do what was right for each child that she taught, even if the decisions were difficult. She was preceded in death by Jacqueline (daughter), DeAnn (stepdaughter), and Jennifer (stepdaughter) and is survived by Richard (husband), Erika/Ryan (daughter), Joseph/Staci (son), Shelly (stepdaughter), Sheila/Lance (stepdaughter), James (stepson), Daniel/Tara (stepson), many grandchilden, and great-grandchildren.

Phoebe had amazing end-of-life care with Atlas Home Health and Hospice. A very special thanks to Lindsay Cox and Allyson Worthen for being there every step of the way. They became like family to us.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 11:00 am at the South Jordan 1st Ward, 2450 West 10400 South, South Jordan, Utah, with a viewing from 9:30 - 10:45 am. Interment at Elysian Burial Gardens.