Marilee Napoli Peterson

Marilyn "Marilee" Napoli Peterson passed away on February 21 from a rare form of Early-Onset Alzheimers Disease. She was born August 13, 1952 at Dee Memorial Hospital in Ogden, Utah to George Napoli and LaRene Richins. She grew up in Tremonton, Utah and graduated from Bear River High School. In 1974, she graduated from BYU with a degree in nursing, and was later able to share her knowledge with another generation of nurses as an adjunct professor in the BYU nursing program. The majority of her 35 year career was spent in various leadership positions at LDS Hospital. Marilee met Chet J. Peterson at LDS Hospital, where he also worked, and they were married April 12, 1986 in the Manti Temple.  

Whether hiking the Great Wall of China, touring the countryside in Switzerland, or rafting a river closer to home- Marilee was always looking for her next great adventure and was unfailingly "game for anything". Even after working a full-time job, running her kids to their after school activities, and trying to keep up with household tasks- she would still volunteer to be room mom or bake from scratch elaborate birthday cakes, go to football games and musicals with tickets she was deft at winning from radio contests, and sew quilts or craft anything she could get her hands on. She inherited her mother's great sense of community and was the first to volunteer whenever she saw a need, whether that meant helping out a neighbor or driving athletes in the 2002 Winter Olympics. She was a master of organization and management at work, home, and church. She wanted to do everything and she was going to do it her way.

Marilee is survived by her husband Chet; children Heather & David Cook, Adam & Kelly Peterson, Megan Peterson & Samantha Clementine; granddaughter Anna. She is also survived by siblings Kathy & Jess Perez, Clearfield; Bob & Becky Napoli, No. Ogden; Denise & Kevin John, Riverside; and Lori & Bob Culver, Smithfield; as well as lifelong friend Carolee Rees Tatton, Centerville. She is preceded in death by her parents, sister Sherry VanCamp, and beloved dog Brandy.

Thank you especially to Carolee, Louise, Mark, and Garrick and to the staff and clients of Neighborhood House for their patience, compassion, and friendship.

A celebration of Marilee's life will be held on Tuesday, February 27 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 S. 900 E. in Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to use the complimentary valet parking on the north side of the building. A funeral will be held on Wednesday, February 28 at 11:00 a.m. at the Eaglewood LDS meetinghouse located at 200 S. Eagle Ridge Drive in North Salt Lake, where friends may call upon the family one hour prior. Interment to follow at the Bountiful City Cemetery, 2224 South 200 West, Bountiful.