Geraldine Ann (Jerry) Pigott Golding was born July 9, 1923 in Rochester, Minnesota. She graduated from Mankato High School in 1941, shortly before the U.S. entered World War II. With few athletic opportunities for girls during that time, Jerry played on the boys hockey team, and on the boys tennis team. With the men going away to war, women were needed like never before in the workplace and Jerry attended the Radio Television Institute in Minneapolis and was quickly hired by Eastern Airlines as a radio operator, stationed in Brownsville, Texas. There she met and married Arthur William Pigott, Jr. on January 1, 1947. From this union came eight children: James Robert, Peterson (deceased), Nancy Kay (Foster), Arthur William, III, John Andrew, Rebecca Gail (Swenson), Alice (Lisa) Ann (Merrill), and David Allen.
Jerry and her husband, Arthur joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Lake Jackson, Texas and were subsequently sealed in the Mesa, Arizona Temple on June 17, 1959. The family moved to Provo, Utah in 1970, where Jerry began playing tennis again, after taking 20 years off to raise their eight children. She was involved in either playing or promoting tennis on the local and national levels.
Her husband Arthur died in 1980 of cancer, just two years after they lost their son, Peterson, a Vietnam veteran.
On December 11, 1982 Jerry married George Elwin Golding in Provo, Utah. George also had a love for tennis and through the years of their marriage they were able to travel extensively. Jerry entered many national senior tournaments and in 1994 was nationally ranked #1 in doubles and #2 in singles in her age group. In February, 1998 she was inducted into the Utah Tennis Hall of Fame.
Jerry was blessed with another eight children when she married George: Monte (deceased), Patricia (Knudsen), George E. (deceased), Loren (deceased), Joel, James, Daniel, and Kevin.
In 1991 George and Jerry bought a home in Spring City, Utah, (Sanpete County) built a tennis court and gave free lessons to anyone who wanted. (George needed them the most.) One of the highlights of their time in Sanpete County was their weekly temple assignment as veil workers.
Jerry was active in church assignments from the time she was baptized, serving in any and all callings asked of her: Primary President, Relief Society President, Young Women's President, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, etc. as well as stake leadership positions.
In addition to the blessings of George and Jerry's combined sixteen children, Jerry is survived by 56 grandchildren and who knows how many great-grandchildren! and now a few great-great grandchildren, all of whom love her very much.
Jerry will be most remembered for her positive attitude. Despite more than her share of adversity, she never seemed to become discouraged and had an uncanny way of bringing out the best in people. She never said a harsh word, always saw the good in all around her and maintained an eternal perspective to the end. She was led by her unflinching devotion to family, friends, and most importantly, her faith.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 13, 2019, 11 a.m. at the Bonneville 13th Ward Chapel, 1498 East 800 South, Provo. Family and friends may visit on Friday, July 12, 2019, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North, Orem, and Saturday, July 13, 2019, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Provo City Cemetery, 610 South State Street, Provo. Condolences may be offered, and memories shared online with the family at www.walkersanderson.com .