Nancy Behunin

Nancy Anne Howcroft Behunin, age 78, passed away on July 13, 2023 in Murray, Utah. She was born on September 23, 1944 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Mark Rigby Howcroft and Ruth Parker Howcroft. Married civilly to David Vardon Behunin on April 10, 1967 in Salt Lake City; they were sealed together for eternity on April 10. 1985 in the Jordan River Temple.

Nancy returned to the arms of her beloved husband on July 13, 2023. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had an amazing unshakeable faith in her Savior & the power of prayer. Nancy was also a great lover of classical music from an early age. Her favorite piece was "The Rite of Spring" by Igor Stravinsky. She was a graduate of South High School, as was her husband, David; they met as members of the Salt Lake Symphonic Choir, of which David was the bass soloist, and fell in love. Nancy loved his rich bass voice, his kind heart, and his intelligence, but wasn't sure if she wanted to be step-mother to his two sons from his previous marriage. She broke things off with David, but then called him up a few days later. "Well, I can't live without you, so we'd better get married!” she said. She had a ring the next day.

Nancy was a great lover of animals, especially cats. She had cats all her life (13 at one time); she often said if someone wanted to find her in Heaven, all they had to do was look for the bunch of cats (and two dogs)! She was also a lover of the outdoors, especially vacations to the family cabin in the Uinta Mountains; trips to Bryce Canyon, Yellowstone, and Zion National Parks.

Nancy loved to crochet and do other handwork. She crocheted many blankets for family members and friends. She was also very proud of her pioneer heritage, especially of being the grand-niece of Robert LeRoy Parker, aka Butch Cassidy. She loved telling stories of Butch, and his brother Dan (her grandfather).

Survived by her children: Paul Vardon, Jonathan Parker and Elizabeth Anne, step-son Stephen David, step-daughter-in-law Sarah Hanham, grandchildren: Vannessa Anne Garcia, Alexandra Anne Ramos and Samuel David Calderon, great-grand-daughter Catalina Anne Garcia, cousin Ronald L. Speirs (Judy). Preceded in death by her husband David Vardon, step-son Douglas Watkins, parents Mark and Ruth Howcroft, siblings Jean Dunn, Virginia Lasrich, Alice "Peggy" Beldon Lewis, brothers-in law Raymond Dunn, Robert Lasrich, and Bert Beldon, nephew Mark Dunn and niece Khristina "Tina" Patterson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, July 21, 2023 at the Bennion 4th Ward, 6100 South Kamas Drive, Taylorsville, UT. A viewing will be held from 9:30 – 10:30 am prior to the services at the church.

If you would like to watch the recorded services online, please click on the blue "Watch Services" button above.