On Thursday, August 11, 2022 Chanta M. Peterson succumbed to a quiet, insidious disease; acute onset depression. Often untreated and unspoken, this disease can be as deadly as cancer or heart disease. It is a disease of the mind and one’s mental outlook on life. She passed away at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah surrounded by family after a four-day battle.
Chanta was born on May 17, 1976 at St. Mark’s Hospital. She was the middle child of three daughters; Lucinda being the eldest and Amber being the baby of the family. Chanta grew up to be the matriarch of the family; often leading the charge for birthday’s, weddings and funerals for friends and family alike. She was a consummate giver.
In 1996, Chanta married Inigo Quiterio and they had three children: a daughter, Kylee (who passed at birth), a daughter, Dominique and a son, Elishah. Later divorced; in 2008, she married James Peterson who at the time had two sons of his own: Michael and Christopher from his previous marriage to Stephanie Jarvi-Peterson. Thus, rounding out this blended family. A point of interest Chanta and James always enjoyed sharing; being the first couple in Utah State History to be married on the Senate Floor of the Utah State Senate… on Valentine’s Day… by Senate President, John Valentine! This, courtesy of long-time family friend and mentor of James, Sen. Mike Dmitrich.
Chanta enjoyed adventure, new experiences and had a spirit of spontaneity un-matched by most. One minute she’d enjoy watering her flowers. The next, filling up with gas to hit the road with no particular destination. She and her husband loved the weekend get-away. But it came with a catch… it could not interfere with the lives of her first and forever love; her dogs, Chumlee and Khloe and cats, Zeus, Milo, Blue and Kila (the newest member of the family).
Those who knew Chanta knew Chumlee was the light of her life. Not to say Dominique and Eli didn’t rank up there, but I think we all knew where we stood in relationship to her animals. Having grown and nurtured our blended family for 16 years, even our oldest, Michael, understood Chumlee’s birthday of July 17th would somehow trump his of July 19th and of course, we’d joke that we couldn’t do much for him since we spent everything on Chumlee!
She is survived by her husband, James Peterson; children, Dominique Quiterio and Elishah Quiterio; sisters, Amber Bishop and Lucinda (David) Campbell; and brother, Michael Martinek. She has many nieces and nephews who love and cared for her deeply.
Chanta is preceded in death by her mother, Denice Martin; daughter, Kylee Mae; nephew, Tyler Blais and Niece Megan Blais.
At this time no memorial services will be held. Chanta will be cremated and the internment will take place at a later date where she will be buried next to her mother, Denice in the Murray City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to your local humane society or sponsor pet training for those who can’t afford it through K9-Lifeline (www.k9lifeline.com). Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Chanta online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net