Shauna Urie Knowlton

Shauna Urie Knowlton, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend died on October 11, 2021 in Holladay, Utah, after a valiant battle with an insidious autoimmune disorder, Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM). Our world is a narrower and dimmer place today because of our loss – but we rejoice that her suffering is over, and she is at peace.

Born on May 18, 1951 in Cedar City, Utah, to Dr. David Urie and Beverly (Fife) Urie, the eldest of three children. She moved to Pullman, Washington with her parents while her father attended the Washington University College of Veterinary Medicine. They later settled in Richfield, Utah, where she was raised working on her parents’ cattle ranch, the family’s horseback and trail rides at Bryce Canyon, Zion’s National Park, and the Grand Canyon, as a cabin maid at Bryce Canyon, and waitressing at the Rainbow Café. At night, she worked as a telephone operator at Richfield Telephone & Telegraph. She knew the value of hard work, and instilled that in her children. Shauna graduated from Richfield High School and went on to pursue a degree in English at Brigham Young University.

On June 11, 1971, Shauna married her high school sweetheart, Dr. Michael Worley. They were later sealed together in the LDS Manti Temple on December 18, 1974. Together, they were blessed to have three boys, Casey, Tony, and Bill. Shauna and Mike made many lifelong friends at Richfield High and the University of Utah Medical School; and they each supported and celebrated one another at every major milestone in their respective lives. “Daddy Mike” tragically died in a medical accident on November 28, 1979.

On July 31, 1982, Shauna married Hooper Knowlton, III, who adopted her three sons and raised them as his own. Together they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, McCall. As Hooper’s “Managing Partner,” Shauna always blew wind in his sails as he worked in his real estate development business. Together, Shauna and Hooper made their home on the east bench of Salt Lake City and became permanent fixtures in the Monument Park 15th Ward. In 1998, Shauna and Hooper adopted Zabron Mwaipopo – who was Bill’s missionary training companion in Uganda, who currently resides in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

Shauna loved traveling with the family: Jackson Hole, Lake Powell, Sun Valley, Newport Beach, San Francisco, and attending musicals on Broadway in New York City were some of her favorites. In 2018, she fulfilled her dream of traveling to the UK and Europe – where she and Hooper spent three marvelous weeks.

Shauna was a faithful member of the LDS Church. She served in several capacities throughout her life. Whenever she was called upon for service, she did it willingly and with love, as a Young Women’s President, Primary President, and Stake Relief Society Counselor. But her favorite calling was organizing the Stake “Rough Out” camp with her many friends.

A gracious and elegant woman, Shauna was approachable to any and all people. She brought style, purpose and decision to everything she did. When with her, you knew there was no one more important than you. She loved her family and being with them more than anything. She was meticulous in every aspect of her life – evidenced by her always manicured red fingernails and impressive shoe collection. She was an elegant woman in life and in death, and endured to the end with courage and dignity. Shauna was truly a force for good to the very end.

Shauna Knowlton has many friends who adore her – across all walks of life – many of whom she kept in contact with throughout the years. She was a joy to be around for her fun, outgoing nature and great sense of humor. She loved her iPad and social media – which allowed her to keep in contact with her friends and loved ones around the world.

She was and always will be the heart and home of our family, and we will miss her dearly.

Shauna is survived by her husband, Hooper; children, Casey (Debra) Knowlton, Tony Knowlton, Bill (Stephanie) Knowlton, McCall (Jon) Nelson, and Zabron Mwaipopo; 17 grandchildren; father-in-law, Hooper Knowlton, Jr.; aunt Patricia Harrison; sisters-in-law Judi (Charles) Brenner, Robin (Parvin) Church, Nicole Gurley, Dagny (Peter) McLellan; and multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her first husband, Dr. Michael Worley, MD; parents, David and Beverly (Fife) Urie; her mother-in-law Caryl (Rothenbush) Knowlton; and her grandson Mori Mwaipopo.

The family we would like to thank Dr. Meg Skibitsky, Nickson Kasue, and Latai Nonu for their professional, compassionate and loving care of Shauna – they will ever be part of her story.

A viewing will be held Friday October 15, 2021, from 6pm – 8pm at the Holladay 28th Ward, 2625 E. Milo Way, Salt Lake City. Funeral services will be held the following day, Saturday October 16, 2021, at 11:00am, with a viewing held prior from 9:30am – 10:30am, at the same location (Holladay 28th Ward, 2625 E. Milo Way, Salt Lake City). The services will be streamed via a Zoom link, which will be posted on the family blog: https://mcknowlton.wixsite.com/onebiteatatime?utm_campaign=de71947a-4606-42fa-b65d-585abdd893f1&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=78d0fe18-0809-4391-a701-91b666d8de64