Ina Hancock

Ina Hancock passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Friday, August 25, 2023, at the age of 93. She was in her home, where she wanted to be, and surrounded by loved ones.

Ina came from humble beginnings when she was born April 24, 1930 in Aripine, Arizona, in a cabin with no floors or even glass in the windows. She was the eldest of 4 children born to Don and Mada Petersen:  Ina, Jean (Petersen) McMullin, Marvin Don Petersen, and Lawerence Jay Petersen. She attended a one-room schoolhouse for four years in Standford, AZ and later attended a two-room schoolhouse in Pinedale, AZ. She graduated from 8^th grade as valedictorian and later from Snowflake High School in 1947.

Her future husband, Herb (or Bert, depending on what side of the family you’re on) first saw Ina when he was 8 years old. He announced to his mother he had seen “the most beautiful creature {he} had ever seen.”  Herbert also told his mother he would marry that beautiful creature, and he later did on November 13, 1948. A week after they were married, Herb was transferred overseas by the Air Force and would be gone for 28 months in Japan and Korea. When he came back, they finally began their married lives as Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Hancock. They had four sons: Brendon, Loran, Garrett and Kyle. Brendon would pass away in 1971 as the result of an automobile accident while serving a mission for the LDS Church. Ina and Herb managed to stay strong and keep their faith during this difficult time.

Ina and Herb were born during a time where Americans expected to work and stay busy their whole lives. Ina held many jobs during her life and worked with Herb, in addition to raising 4 boys and actively serving in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Even after a formal retirement they both continued to volunteer at the temple and helping their community any way they could, Ina even into her 90s­­- verifying and transcribing thousands of old records to be uploaded into the church’s database. She was a skilled typist, writer, organist, singer and pianist. She kept meticulous records and documents, even writing books on her mother and son Brendon. She was also a skilled baker and candymaker, and was constantly creating new concoctions for her family to test out. It’s no wonder­- she had a terrible sweet tooth, which seems to have been passed down 3 generations so far.

Ina Hancock leaves behind a legacy of kindness, generosity and service. She will be missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her sons Loran, Garrett and his wife Lilly, Kyle, and grandchildren Angelica, Sabrina (Ian), Holly (Greg), Daniel, and great grandchildren William and Elena (Sabrina and Ian) and Ivy (Holly and Greg.)

A service will be held on Saturday, September 2^nd at 9:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2740 S Lindsay Rd, Gilbert Arizona 85296, followed by a graveside service at the Pinedale Cemetery at 3 pm.