Juanita Ann (Hansen) O'Brien

A wife who loved and supported her husband; a mother who encouraged, sustained, and served her children; and a grandmother and great- grandmother who showed her love for them in countless ways passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, September 25, 2016.  Juanita was born to Granford and Madora Hansen in Fairview, Utah on December 8, 1936.  She graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in English.  On June 18, 1959, she married her adoring husband Gary Edward in the Salt Lake Temple. 

Juanita Ann’s life touched others for good.  Her achievements are many, but most outstanding was her valiant character.  She was a daughter and sister of strength and consistency.  She was a devoted companion and source of inspiration and support, emotionally, professionally, and spiritually to Gary, her eternal companion.  Together Gary and she served six missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  They served as the President of the Swiss-International mission from 1974 – 1977.  Juanita served in the Church with dedication and delight in many capacities.  Her willingness and tenacity to serve is evident in one of her more recent calls to serve as a den mother in the Cub Scouts.  She had a powerful impact through word and deed as she volunteered in the PTA and Utah Opera Guild.  She was a radiant example of an ideal woman of faith.  From within the walls of her home and through her industrious devotion to family, she inspired, encouraged, and taught her posterity determination, spirituality, obedience, resourcefulness, and LOVE! 

Grandmother O’Brien loved family gatherings, water fights, hiking and camping, a perfectly manicured lawn, a clean home, and a properly set table with several courses served.  She enjoyed ice cream sandwiches and chocolate.  She was always anxiously engaged in keeping in contact with those she loved.  The past years of her life were an example of her determination to carry on.  She vigorously taught that quitting was not an option!  She embraced ALL with whom she made contact and impacted the lives of countless individuals. 

Juanita Ann was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Earl, Don (Virginia), and Ramona.  She is survived by her husband, Gary Edward O’Brien, children Jodi O'Brien (Sabina), Terry (Lance) Peterson, Becky (Richard) Anderson, Stephanie (Dean) Brockbank, Kelly (Kristine) O’Brien, Laurie O'Brien (Rod Shirley), Heidi (Stephen) Shumway, 31 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and her brother Larry (Cheryl). 

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 30, 2016 at 11:00 am at the East Millcreek 9th Ward building on 3750 Hillside Lane (2600 East), Salt Lake City, Utah 84109, where friends and family can visit Thursday evening, September 29, from 6:00 until 8:00 pm and Friday morning 9:30 to 10:30 am prior to the service. Interment Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. Guestbook to post messages and tributes for the family is available at: HolbrookMortuary.com