The following life sketches are not vetted and were obtained from online obituaries. They are meant to highlight the nursing influence each person offered as college alumni. We intended to include every college alum who passed away since the last issue in Fall 2022. If we missed someone, please let us know at nursingpr@byu.edu. Click this link to view the obituaries accompanied by additional portraits.
Naomi Luika Kaawa Wilkinson (BS ’56) of Kaneohe, HI, passed away in December 2022 at the age of 88, joining her husband, Delwin Charles Wilkinson, who passed away in 2000. She is survived by their two sons and seven grandchildren.
Marilyn Ririe Boots (BS ’57) of Star Valley Ranch, WY, passed away in July 2023 at the age of 87. She and her husband, Will, were married for 66 years and had three children and four grandchildren. Marilyn worked as a full-time nurse at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City and assisted at the Oklahoma Children’s Shelter.
Wendy Lu Jackson Augason (BS ’58) of Louisville, KY, passed away in December 2023 at the age of 87. She and her husband, Gordon, had 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Wendy and her husband taught English in China through the BYU Kennedy Center.
Sharon Luella Ward Christensen (BS ’58) of Provo, UT, passed away in January 2023 at the age of 86. Sharon and her husband, Richard, had 4 children, 19 grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren. She worked as an OBGYN nurse before starting her family and later used her skills to volunteer for the Red Cross and at the Provo MTC.
Iris Belliston Rosier (BS ’58) of Kaysville, UT, passed away on July 6, 2023, at the age of 86. She and her husband, Dennis, were blessed with 10 children, 43 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. In high school, Iris worked as a nurse’s aide and decided to make nursing her career. She taught nursing at Central Utah Vocational School (now UVU) and worked in labor and delivery at McKay-Dee Hospital.
Nancy Merle (Hatcher) Schenk (BS ’58) of Fairfield, UT, passed away on September 27, 2023. She and her husband, Terrell, were married in 1958 and ran an Alaskan fishing operation for many years.
Nancy McEntire Cotro-Manes (BS ’59) of Riverton, UT, passed away on January 22, 2023. She married her husband Jim, and together they had five children and several grandchildren. After his passing, she married Paul Cotro-Manes. Nancy worked for the Student Health Clinic at the University of Utah.
Eva Pearl Okelberry Stoneman (BS ’59, MS ’97) of Spanish Fork, UT, passed away in January 2024 at the age of 86. She married Jack Durant Stoneman, and they shared 6 children, 16 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. Eva fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse when she graduated with her BSN/RN nursing degree in 1959. She furthered her education by earning a master’s in nursing from BYU in 1997. Throughout her career, Eva found immense joy and fulfillment in her work.
Sharon Lee Althouse Huff (BS ’60) of Cedar Hills, UT, passed away in February 2023 at the age of 84. She worked as a nurse in various capacities from 1960 until 1997. Sharon and her husband, Lewis, have one daughter and two grandsons.
Beverly Gayle Peck Brunski (BS ’61) of Pleasant Grove, UT, passed away on July 8, 2022. She worked as a nurse in various capacities, including the burn unit, psych unit, the well-baby nursery, and as a visiting nurse. She and her husband, Raymond, have three children and eight grandchildren.
Jinean Greenhalgh Madsen (BS ’61) of Tempe, AZ, passed away in November 2023 at the age of 85. She worked as an intensive and coronary care nurse until her retirement in 2006. Jinean and her husband, Darrell, have four children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Sonia Diantha (Clark) Parker Nelson (BS ’61) of Hooper, UT, passed away on March 16, 2024, at the age of 86. Sonia was chosen as the outstanding student of her nursing cohort. She taught nursing classes throughout Utah and worked as a labor and delivery nurse for 20 years. Sonia had 4 daughters and 2 stepchildren, 18 grandchildren and 12 step-grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren and 25 step-great-grandchildren.
Elmary Davidson (BS ’62) of Layton, UT, passed away on February 5, 2023, at the age of 83. She had four children. Her nursing degree was instrumental in enabling her to work and support her family as a single mother. She primarily worked in health administration with the Salt Lake City Health Department, where she served for 40 years, concluding her career as director of nursing.
Juanita Harmon Price (BS ’62) of Layton, UT, passed away on January 22, 2024, at the age of 84. Juanita had a diverse nursing career, including work in labor and delivery, clinical nursing, private duty nursing, and assisting in establishing a home care service. She also played a key role in building the Missionary Medical Service for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and she administered the healthcare benefits for the Church’s General Authority Program before retiring. She and her husband, Walter, have 6 children, 27 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.
Susan Brown Woolley (BS ’62) of North Ogden, UT, passed away on March 27, 2023. Susan married her husband, Ross, and together they raised five children and welcomed numerous foster children into their home. She worked as a labor and delivery nurse and nurse manager for almost fifty years while earning a master of public health from the University of Utah. Susan is survived by her children, 17 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.
Karla Wilcox Gammon (BS ’63) of Provo, UT, passed away on July 22, 2023. Kara worked as a hospital nurse, where her future husband, Ray Euguene “Gene,” was one of her patients. Together, they raised 7 children, who in turn blessed them with 30 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Gladys Joanne Nuttall Duke (BS ’64) of Perry, UT, passed away on November 16, 2023. She worked as a nurse at St. Jude Hospital in Fullerton, California, where she met her husband, Robert. Together, they raised their 6 children and later welcomed 22 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter.
Linda Lee Currey (BS ’65) of Orem, UT, passed away on August 2, 2023, after a long illness. As a professional nurse for 40 years, she worked in various settings, from intensive care units to the psychiatric floor. Linda married Lawrence Harmon, and together they had two children. After their divorce, she married Donald Currey. She is survived by her two children and seven grandchildren.
Janet Katie Cowley Bauer (BS ’66) of Ogden, UT, passed away at the age of 80 on February 13, 2024. She married Robert Halpin in 1965, and after their divorce, she married David Bauer in 1985. Janet is survived by her three sons and one daughter.
Bonnie Jean Harris Taylor (BS ’67, MS ’76) of Orem, UT, passed away on December 12, 2023, at the age of 78, exactly one year after the death of her beloved husband, Graig. Together, they raised 5 children and were blessed with 20 grandchildren. Bonnie’s fourth child, Alison, was born the day she took her final for her master’s degree as a family nurse practitioner, just before her GI Bill eligibility expired. Bonnie managed a successful nursing career while also prioritizing her family with love and dedication.
Cheryl Anderson (AS ’67, BS ’70) of Springville, UT, passed away in February 2022. Over the 40-plus years of her nursing career, Cheryl was a private nurse to President David O. McKay and his wife. She served some of the first heart transplant recipients at Stanford Medical Center in California. She was an assistant director of nursing for three years at a hospital in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Later, she worked in the NICU at Utah Valley Hospital. She also served as a mission nurse specialist in the California San Fernando Mission.
Carolynne Ruth Cecil Berrett (AS ’68) of Salt Lake City, UT, passed away on April 5, 2022, at the age of 80. Carolynne worked as a nurse for nearly 40 years. She and her husband, Bernell, have 6 children, 26 grandchildren, and 37 great-grandchildren.
Sharlot Sherwood Brown (BS ’68) of Mesa, AZ, passed away on May 22, 2022, at the age of 78. She married Donald Keith Brown and worked as an RN. Sharlot is survived by her three daughters, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Lynda Lawson Hans (AS ’68) of Kennewick, WA, passed away on November 24, 2022, after a long and fulfilling life. When Lynda’s parents vetoed her dream of becoming a movie star, she decided to pursue a career in nursing. In October of 1968, she met her husband, Stephen, and they were married the following month. Lynda dedicated 53 years of her life to nursing. She served as the director of nursing at one of Las Vegas’s largest state-funded nursing homes. Lynda is survived by her husband, five children, six grandchildren, and great-granddaughter.
Barbara Pead Jacobson (AS ’69) of Thatcher, AZ, passed away on January 13, 2024. She and her husband, Fay “Jake” Jacobson, had 4 children who eventually gave them their 14 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She spent her life serving others as a nurse and in many other capacities.
Kathleen Harris Cook (AS ’70) of Logan, UT, passed away on April 13, 2023. Kathleen excelled in school, graduating from BYU in nursing, and later completing her bachelor of science degree at Westminster. She worked as an RN at LDS Hospital, caring for new mothers and babies for over 25 years. Kathleen was married to Alan Reed Harris for 38 years, and together they had 6 children, 17 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.
Linda Jean Lofgran (BS ’71) of Rexburg, ID, passed away at the age of 74 on August 29, 2023. She began her nursing career at Payson City Hospital, where she worked closely with the director of nursing, Jeanne Lofgran, who introduced Linda to her son, Robert Lofgran. Linda and Robert married. They have 6 children and 28 grandchildren.
Susan Kathleen Whiting (BS ’71) of San Jose, CA, passed away on November 5, 2022, after a long battle with cancer. She had four children with her former husband, Stephen. After her divorce, she married the love of her life, Jay Whiting. Susan was devoted to service, both in her personal life and during her 50-year career as a nurse. She is survived by her husband, 4 children, 15 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.
Thomasene Gail Lybbert (BS ’72) of Richland, WA, passed away on June 6, 2023, after a long and dedicated nursing career. She began at Utah Valley Medical Center in Provo, UT, then worked at Good Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake and Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane for 34 years. After retiring in 2012, she returned to Moses Lake and cared for her parents in their final years. Thomasene cherished her family dearly and supported them through everything. She is survived by seven of her siblings and is preceded in death by her brother Derek.
Jan Smith (AS ’72) of Murray, UT, passed away on January 3, 2023. Jan married Bruce Smith, the love of her life. She is survived by her husband, four children, six grandchildren, and her mother. Jan’s dedication to caregiving extended beyond her family. She worked as a nurse for many years in roles like labor and delivery (her favorite), ER, oncology, and school nurse. In a final act of selflessness, Jan donated some of her organs to bless the lives of others.
Billie Atwood (BS ’73, MS ’79) of Kent, WA, passed away in September 2022 at the age of 71. She knew early in her childhood that she wanted to be a nurse. She went to BYU to study nursing and excelled in all her classes, becoming one of the first graduating students of the BYU Graduate Nursing Program. A lifelong learner, she earned a second master’s degree from the University of Washington. Billie began her nursing career in the maternity ward at Utah Valley Hospital and the drug and alcohol unit at Utah State Hospital, experiences that instilled in her a deep compassion for underprivileged and underserved communities. These lessons guided her throughout her 50-year career. She retired in 2020 as an ARNP of rheumatology at Valley Medical Center Clinic in Covington, WA.
Jeanne Marie Reeder (AS ’73) of Payson, UT, passed away on April 23, 2023, at the age of 72. Following her graduation from BYU, Jeanne dedicated over 40 years to her career as an RN. She is survived by her two daughters and four grandchildren.
Beverly Bushman McCune (AS ’74) of Salt Lake City, UT, passed away in February 2022 at the age of 91. Beverly married Gaylen Young, and they raised six children together. Beverly later married Keith McCune, embracing his five children and enjoying their blended family. At age 40, she pursued her dream of becoming a nurse, earning her RN certification. Beverly dedicated 20 years to working at Evans, Evans, and Evans Internal Medicine Office. She is survived by five of her children and four of Keith’s children.
Joyce Mickelsen Tolley (AS ’74) of Lehi, UT, passed away on February 13, 2023. Joyce served patients in hospice, home health, extended care, gastroenterology, orthopedics, and labor and delivery. She and her husband, Ronald, have five children and six grandchildren.
Patricia “Pat” Jean Felger (AS ’75) of Newnan, GA, passed away on February 2, 2024, at the age of 86. Pat was married to the late David Felger, her beloved husband of 62 years. Together, they were blessed with five daughters, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Pat received her nursing training at Bellevue Hospital in New York and got her nursing degree from BYU. Renowned for her fondness for butter, Pat believed that an extra pat of the good stuff could solve any problem.
Paul David Francom (AS ’75) of Payson, UT, passed away on August 31, 2023, due to complications of liver disease. He married Ruth Lee Wall, the love of his life, on July 9, 1971. Paul and Ruth were blessed with 5 boys and 14 grandchildren. Paul dedicated nearly 50 years to the nursing field as a registered nurse and nurse practitioner. He is survived by his wife, five boys, and five of his eight siblings.
Nancy Pulsipher (AS ’75) of Brigham City, UT, passed away on Friday, August 5, 2022, at the age of 73, due to complications from a stroke. Nancy enjoyed a distinguished career as a nurse spanning over 40 years, during which she earned BA and MA degrees in nursing. She served as head nurse in the neonatal care ward at Primary Children’s Hospital for many years. She is survived by her eight siblings.
Judy Kaye Tilton (AS ’76) of Taylorsville, UT, January 30, 2024, at the age of 68. Judy studied nursing at BYU, which quickly became her passion. She was very proud to have held her license for over 50 years. Her greatest joy was raising and loving her children and grandchildren.
Patricia Ann Dahlin (AS ’77) of Washington, UT, passed away on July 26, 2022. A beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend, she was known for her kindness and indomitable spirit. Pat’s career included serving as an emergency room nurse and managing her own home nursing service. She is survived by some of her siblings, her children, and her grandchildren.
Pamela Eva “Pam” Radford Rigby (AS ’77) of Vancouver, WA, passed away on March 18, 2023, at the age of 67. Pam dedicated 32 years of her career to being a surgical nurse. She is survived by her husband Frank, 5 children, and 14 grandchildren.
Margaret “Meg” Ann Danielson (AS ’78) of Salt Lake City, UT, passed away on October 19, 2022, after a sudden and tough battle with breast cancer. Her sisters and her husband, Jerry, were with her until the end. A highly accomplished nurse, Meg found great fulfillment in her profession and eventually served as the president of the American Society of Peri Anesthesia Nurses. She was dearly loved by all and will be greatly missed.
Ellen Jeanine (Miller) Messerly (BS ’78) of Springville, UT, passed away on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at the age of 67. Ellen married Ernest Messerly, a young widower. They fell in love so fast they declared their love “drenched in destiny.” She became mother to his three kids, and they welcomed seven more. Ellen worked at Primary Children’s Hospital and Utah Valley Hospital before dedicating herself to a full-time mission. She is survived by her husband, 8 of her children, and 15 grandchildren.
Jean Marie Bigelow (AS ’80, BS ’82) of Murray, UT, passed away on July 6, 2023. Inspired by her namesake (Aunt Marie), Jean pursued her nursing dream at BYU and later earned an MS in nursing administration. She worked as an ICU nurse at multiple hospitals, including Mountain View, Pioneer Valley, Salt Lake Community, and IHC, often sacrificing her nights and holidays for others’ family time. Jean found joy in following BYU sports, particularly football and basketball. Holding leadership roles in hospital administration, notably as head of the risk management division at IHC, she earned national recognition. She later contributed her expertise to Stewart Health Care and was with Holy Cross Health Care at the time of her passing.
Linda Egbert (BS ’80) of Salt Lake City, UT, passed away on July 30, 2023. From an early age, Linda aspired to become a nurse. She graduated from BYU with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and earned an MS in nursing administration from the University of Utah. Linda began her career at LDS Hospital and retired in 2022 as a senior nurse preventionist at the Utah Department of Health. She is survived by 3 sisters, a brother, 4 nieces, 4 nephews, and 14 great nieces and nephews.
Virginia Felt Bradford Moore (AS ’81) of Salem, UT, passed away on November 14, 2023. She married Glen Bradford and they had 5 children, who later blessed her with 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. The couple divorced and Virginia married Grant Moore and enjoyed 31 years of joy. The combined families included 8 children, 23 grandchildren, and more than 17 great-grandchildren. As a nursing graduate from BYU with a CCRN certification, Virginia dedicated over 35 years to the profession.
Barbara Lee Soha (AS ’81) of Pendleton, OR, passed away on July 9, 2022, at the age of 73.
Deana Lynn Walker (AS ’81) of Salt Lake City, UT, passed away on January 20, 2024, at the age of 63. She married Mark Walker, and they raised four children together. Deana’s career as a registered nurse allowed her to professionally express her compassionate nature. She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, and siblings.
Maria Jane Millet Bryson (AS ’82) of Bellevue, NE, passed away on November 20, 2022, at the age of 72. Jane worked in the nursery at Pioneer Valley Hospital in West Valley, UT, from 1983–85 and at Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg, ID, from 1985–87. She was promoted to house supervisor in 1987 and served until 1997. Additionally, she worked as a clinical instructor at Ricks College Department of Nursing (now BYU–Idaho) from 1989–1994 and as a trauma nurse at Logan Regional Hospital in Logan, UT, from 1997 until her retirement in 2017. She is survived by her husband, Michael Bryson, and their 5 children and 11 grandchildren.
Janet Johnson Black Folkerson (AS ’83) of Murray, UT, passed away on April 22, 2024. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Randy Reid Black, and they had 5 children and 15 grandchildren. Janet pursued nursing later in life and dedicated herself to working with infants and mothers. She married Steven Richard Folkerson on June 1, 2023, and he was by her side at her passing.
Pamela Kaye Robinson Montgomery (AS ’83) of Salt Lake City, UT, passed away in January 2023 at the age of 61. She married John Montgomery, and they had four children and eight grandchildren. She found great fulfillment in her career as both an RN and an editor.
Gail Rannels Harlin (MS ’84) of Woodbury, MN, passed away in November 2023 at the age of 66. She was a devoted mother of two children and a cherished grandmother of five grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, Dan, and their posterity.
LaVon Taylor Russon (MS ’84) of Salt Lake City, UT, passed away in January 2023 at the age of 96. Throughout her life, LaVon exemplified the Savior in her selfless service to her fellowmen and especially to her family. She began her nursing journey with the United States Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II and earned a master’s degree in nursing from BYU. She was married to Harland Russon, and together they had six children. She dedicated herself to nursing, working in various capacities including part- and full-time roles in hospitals, public health, and as a school nurse for the Granite School District. LaVon is survived by five of her children, 11 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.
Anita Lofgren Brown (BS ’86) of Highlands Ranch, CO, passed away on September 20, 2022, at the age of 57 from complications of colon cancer. She was married to Garry Brown, and they had four children together. Anita found joy in working across various areas of nursing.
Richelle Lynn McDaniel (BS ’87) of Conroe, TX, passed away on December 8, 2022, at the age of 59 after a 13-year battle with breast cancer. She is survived by her husband, Christopher McDaniel, and their three children. Richelle dedicated 22 years to her career as a registered nurse.
Judith Ann Pratt (MS ’90) of Bountiful, UT, passed away on July 8, 2022. She married Gerold Pratt, and they raised six sons together. Judith leaves behind a legacy of hard work and adventurous spirit. She is survived by her husband, sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Catherine Anne (Cousineau) Krauss (BS ’91) of Liberty, MO, passed away on November 13, 2022. She married Karl Krauss, and they had three children together. Catherine dedicated many years of her life to working as an operating room nurse in various hospitals.
Janice Christensen Jensen (MS ’94) of Orem, UT, passed away on March 28, 2024, at the age of 91. She was married to Lee Jensen. Janice earned her BSN and became a nursing professor, dedicating herself to teaching. She worked at various hospitals in Utah County and taught at BYU and several other colleges. Janice is survived by seven of her children, one bonus child, 19 grandchildren, 4 bonus grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and 7 bonus great-grandchildren.
Janet “Jan” Marsh (BS ’94) of Heber City, UT, passed away at the age of 79 on November 17, 2023. Janet enjoyed a fulfilling career as an RN. She worked at the VA Hospital in Los Angeles, CA, and served as the newborn baby clinical educator and clinic manager at the Merrill Gappmayer Family Medicine Center in Provo. She is survived by her husband (Stephen), and their 8 children, 30 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.
Shari Rae Quai (BS ’06) of Orem, UT, passed away on April 26, 2023. Throughout her life, she demonstrated a profound dedication to medicine. Following her diagnosis with stage 4 colorectal cancer, Shari became a passionate advocate of health, wellness, and longevity. She founded Aive Aesthetics and Wellness to share her vision. She is survived by her husband, Josh Quai, with whom she had four children.