Cynthia Richardson Petersen

Cynthia Richardson Petersen was born on June 29,1951 in San Mateo, California to Thomas Weslie Richardson and Gloria Dixon. As the eldest of 11 children, Cindy had a significant role helping her parents take care of the family. She attended Lynbrook High School in San Jose, California where she was involved in the school choir and was able to showcase her beautiful soprano voice. By the time she began Ricks College in the fall of 1969, she was a very talented and skilled vocalist. She toured with the New Freedom Singers choir where she made life-long friendships and treasured memories that she recalled fondly throughout her life. She received her associates degree in elementary education from Ricks before transferring to Brigham Young University.

In the summer of 1970 Cynthia met a handsome, newly-returned missionary Stephen Henry Petersen at BYU. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Oakland California temple on August 22, 1972. Even after over 40 years of marriage and nine children together, Cynthia proudly referred to herself as “Stephen’s bride.” Family was the joy of her life and she worked diligently to have the gospel at the heart of their home. Her love of music trickled down to their children and their home was one filled with singing and laughter.

Cynthia was happiest during family gatherings. She worked tirelessly to make every holiday a memorable event. She had a green-thumb and a knack for arranging flowers and festive centerpieces for each occasion. She showed her love by taking great care of guests and relished the role of hostess when family came from out of town to visit. Cynthia’s life-long love for babies and children was unsurpassed. Her complete attention and sweet adoration for the smallest members of the family made them feel valued and loved.

To know Cynthia, was to know that she had a real and very personal relationship with her Father in Heaven and that she loved Him dearly. As a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she also had a firm testimony in her Savior, Jesus Christ. She served in various church callings in Relief Society, Primary, church choir, and Boy Scouts of America. She spoke most fondly of her time as the Primary’s children chorister, a calling that combined her love of the gospel, music, and children.

Cynthia spent her last days in the care of The Denver Hospice, surrounded by her husband and all of her children. She passed on Saturday, May 29th, 2021 at the age of 69. She was dearly loved and will be missed. Cynthia is survived by her husband of nearly 49 years, Stephen Petersen, and children: John Petersen; Scott (Linda) Petersen; Christine (Chris) Starkey; Suzanne (Brian) Call; Emily (Andrew) Malkoski; Candice (Alfred) West; Michael (Kelsey) Petersen; Matthew (Kelsey) Petersen; David (Julia) Petersen. Also survived by twenty grandchildren, her father Thomas Weslie Richardson, and her siblings: Douglas (Colleen) Richardson; Marilyn (Robert) Devine; David (Joanne) Richardson; Don Richardson; Glen Richardson; Sandra (Gordon) Greathouse; Patrick Richardson; Rebecca (Daniel) Brink; Diana (Brian) Jensen; Linda (Roy) Critchfield. She was preceded in death by her mother, Gloria Dixon Richardson.

A viewing will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4701 South Chambers Road Aurora, CO 80015 on Tuesday June 8, 2021 at 9 AM. Funeral service will begin at 10 AM with graveside dedication to directly follow at Littleton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Cynthia’s memorial fund via Venmo would be much appreciated.
Venmo - @Cynthia-Petersen-memorial