Frances Eleanor Peterson Hatch

Frances Peterson Hatch

Frances Eleanor Peterson Hatch passed away peacefully in her home on February 22, 2026. Frances was born March 26, 1934, in Provo, Utah, to Dale and Elinor Peterson. She grew up in Provo, attending Maeser Elementary, Farrer Junior High, and Provo High School. Frances showed a love for music at a young age, learning to play the piano and accordion. As a teenager, she began teaching accordion lessons, and this continued into her early adulthood, teaching and playing in a band to support her husband through school.

She was the pianist for the Provo 7th Ward Road Show and offered to help newly returned missionary E. Farr Hatch with his singing part. They married in 1953 in the Salt Lake temple, and in 1957, they established their home in Orem, Utah.

In 1960, they adopted their daughter Cyndi Caye. Eighteen months later, a surprise phone call came as they were leaving for a summer semester of graduate school, and Scott Farr joined their family. Five years later, they were blessed with a daughter, Julie.

Prior to adopting Cyndi, Frances worked as a dental assistant in Provo. While raising the family, she substituted as a secretary in many Orem schools. She began working full-time at Lakeridge Junior High School as the Registrar to help support Scott on his mission. She continued working there until retiring in 1997.

Her love for her family was second only to her love for the Savior, Jesus Christ. She held many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Ward and Stake Relief Society President, Ward and Stake Young Women’s President, and many others.

Her desire to serve a mission with her husband was set aside as she helped to care for her father-in-law and her own parents in their later years. She and Farr served on the Timpanogos Temple Open House Committee and as service missionaries at the Orem High Seminary, which gave them great joy and many missionary experiences.

Frances loved being a grandma. Twist parties and chocolate popsicles were a favorite at Grandma Hatch’s house.

Preceded in death by her husband, Farr, she is survived by her sister Marian Robbins of Salt Lake City, brother Ed (Miyuki) Peterson of Vineyard, her 3 children all of Orem, 4 grandchildren, Brandon (Stacia) Hatch of Santaquin, Kiley Hatch of Orem, Spencer (Ari) Hatch of Pleasant Grove, Baylee Hatch of Orem and 1 great grandson Billy Farr Hatch.

An evening viewing will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 6-8 pm at Wheeler-Sundberg Funeral Home, 495 South State Street, Orem. Funeral services will be Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1450 South 800 East, Orem, with a viewing held that morning at the church from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will be in the East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery, 4800 North Timpview Drive (650 East), Provo.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.

For those unable to attend the services in person, you may view the Livestream HERE