Brenda Lynn Ford

Brenda Lynn Boyles Ford, 63, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away October 6, 2025, at her home in Draper, Utah, surrounded by her loving family after an 11-month battle with Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer).

Brenda was born May 17, 1962, to David Eugene “Butch” Boyles and Carolyn Kellogg Boyles Lara in Elko, Nevada. Mom’s childhood was less than ideal, but Mom did her part to make homelife the best she could for her siblings. Mom has always been loving and protective of her family so helping raise her siblings from a very young age came naturally to her. She was the kind of person who gave everything she had, and then some, to make sure her family was taken care of.

Brenda met the love of her life, Howard O. Ford, in Wendover, Nevada, in 1977 at the young age of 14. It was love at first sight for Mom, but it took Dad a little convincing after he found out her "freshman" status meant high school, not college. By the time Dad found out, he was already head-over-heels. Howard and Brenda were married September 16, 1977, in Payson, Utah. They were sealed in the Manti Utah Temple September 15, 1979.

Brenda was a US Postal Worker from 1984 until her official retirement in 2024. She was the first female carrier to work at the Logan, Utah post office and helped pave the way for female postal workers after her.

Mom and Dad settled in Draper, Utah, in 1991 where they finished raising their four children, hosted foreign exchange students from Japan, Denmark, Germany, and Poland, and welcomed anyone and everyone brought home as a part of the family. Brenda was known as ‘Mom’ by so many. Mom was always very involved with her children’s lives: being the official scorekeeper for Jason’s baseball games and later traveling the world with him; instilling in Kris her love of home décor and reading; watching grandkids and helping any way she could while Kristy attended and graduated from nursing school, Mom was so proud!; traveling for Kim’s softball games, teaching her to bake and clean, and being Kim’s biggest supporter the past few years; sewing elaborate Halloween costumes with Shan, supporting her in her dream of graduating from art school in Philadelphia, and traveling all over the world to visit Shan and her family wherever they lived--Mom was always our biggest cheerleader and she loved each of us for the unique individuals we are.

Mom spent the last 48 years side-by-side with her sweetheart, Howard. Mom and Dad beat all the odds, made it through all the hard times, and came out on top. The life they’ve built together is nothing short of incredible. The memories of raising kids, summers at Lake Powell, traveling the world with Jason, Dad supporting Mom’s elaborate Christmases, Easter Egg Parties, and gift-giving. Their love knew no bounds. The love and care Dad has shown Mom during her sickness is extraordinary.

Mom’s favorite titles were ‘Nana’ and ‘Grandma’. Her grandkids are her pride and joy. Together they created endless memories of sleepovers, watching movies, doing art projects, Grandma picking them up from school, baking "nuffins" and brownies, putting together puzzles, getting pedicures, watching True Crime with her older grandkids, and being spoiled rotten. Mom was notorious for sharing her love of Coke with all the grandkids from the time they were toddlers. Mom always had a special way of connecting with each grandchild, seeing them for who they are, and loving them like crazy.

When at home, Mom could always be found in her favorite nightgown doing puzzles and word games, shopping on KSL Classifieds for furniture, watching Wheel of Fortune, Date Line, bull riding, barrel-racing or any rodeo event.

Mom was extremely loyal to her family and loved fiercely. There is no better example to us of genuine, unconditional love. She had the biggest heart, the best sense of humor, and was as stubborn as they come when she needed to be.

Mom’s cancer diagnosis was shocking to us all. She fought with everything she had; she wanted so badly to be around to watch her kids and grandkids grow, become a great-grandma, and grow old with her sweetheart. She handled every battle with such grace and strength. Her motto was to laugh or else she’d cry. We have spent the past 11 months joking, laughing, enjoying every moment, and crying together.

Mom’s last months were filled with completing bucket-list items: a family cruise to Alaska, attending a Dwight Yoakam concert, a trip to Yellowstone where her and Dad honeymooned all those years ago, hosting a family reunion, and one last trip to Nashville where she attended the Opry twice and watched her grandson play in the marching band.

Mom’s legacy is her family. She spent her entire life caring for those she loved. It has been our honor and privilege to care for her throughout her cancer journey and in her final days. Grandma, Nana, Mom, Wife, Sister, Aunt, Niece, Cousin, Friend; Brenda will never be forgotten.

Brenda & Howard are the proud parents of four amazing children: Shanna (Jon) Jensen, Brentwood, TN; Kim Buckingham, Tooele, UT; Kristy (Jared) Illingsworth, Draper, UT; and Jason (Drew Henry), Draper, UT. The joy of Mom’s life were her ten incredible grandchildren: Sofia and Lincoln Jensen; Ezekiel, Macy, Keefer, Vander, and Gwen Buckingham; and Parker, Berkley, and Banks Illingsworth.

Brenda is survived by her husband, children, and grandchildren; siblings David (Paula) Boyles, Caldwell, ID; Cathy (Gary) Bean, Wendover, UT; Audra (Peter) Leet, Riverview, FL; Evan Boyles, Ogden, UT; and Quintin (Haley) Boyles, Yerington, NV. Also survived by her stepmom Verna Boyles, Winnemucca, NV; her favorite Aunt, Sheryl (James) Beckett, Concord, CA; and many cherished cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Mom is preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousin, as well as too many pets to name, but most especially her feisty Chihuahua, Andy.

Mom wanted to write her own obituary, but the end just came too fast. Her love of obituaries is equal parts odd and fascinating. We hope we have made her proud and honored her sufficiently with this obituary.

Mom has requested that no black be worn to her funeral. Please come dressed in your favorite color or in Mom’s favorite color: blue.

Funeral services will be held in Brenda’s honor Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E Dimple Dell Road, Sandy, UT. The viewing will take place from 10 AM-12:30 PM with the funeral to follow at 1 PM and a graveside service at 3 PM. The funeral will be livestreamed via Zoom and can be accessed by clicking the "Watch Services" button above.

Mom was so touched by everyone who donated to her GoFundMe to help pay her medical bills. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a family in financial need to help them in their fight against cancer.