Our wonderful mom and grandmother, Dolores Boyack, passed away peacefully at the Legacy House Cottage in South Jordan, Utah, on September 10, 2021. She was born December 21, 1928, in Salem, Utah, to Howard James and Edna Gardner Christensen. She was the first of five children in their family. She married Ronald Arthur Boyack on September 10, 1949. They lived in various locations in Salt Lake City; and in their later years, they moved to Fairview and then Spanish Fork.
Mom graduated from Spanish Fork High School and attended Brigham Young University for two years after graduation. High school was an especially fun time for her with all the activities and schoolwork. She dated dad in high school their senior year. She was a cheerleader and dad played on the basketball team . . . the perfect match. In their senior yearbook, the editor must have seen the love they had for each other, as there was a caption next to her name, “Oh boy oh Boyack.” Later, after dad returned home from school in New York, they were married.
Mom was unpretentious and kind to all those whom she met. Friendship was more important than status or position. She was happy and content with what life brought to her. Her love of family was paramount as she raised her five children. She made sure she was a good example of being faithful in her church callings and teaching her children by her example and testimony. As the family increased in numbers, she created fun activities, especially when the grandchildren arrived. One of her favorite activities each year was to make Valentine cookies, with all the grandkids attending . . . sugar cookies with pink frosting, sprinkles, and hearts of various kinds. At the end of the day, each grandchild had a bag-full of kid-decorated cookies to take home, along with the fun memories.
Mom loved her special needs son, Steven. The doctors suggested he be institutionalized, but mom and dad brought Steve home and helped him develop far more than what the doctors predicted. Steve went to Hartvigsen School and during his school years, Mom was always a member of the PTA spanning over 20 years. She was elected President of the PTA for the Hartvigsen School. She helped many special needs kids and Steve’s friends were always welcome in our home.
Mom and Dad loved baseball! Anywhere there was a game, they often would show up. Both of their parents played, and Mom often recounted, as a young girl, the fun of watching her Dad pitch in the hot summer air. Mom and Dad supported their boys playing and Steven was even an honorary, uniformed member of a Little League team from the neighborhood. They sponsored softball teams and eventually travelled to watch professional baseball in many cities. If the ballfield lights were on, they would usually stop and watch a game. Look for them next time you are watching a game.
Thank you, Mom, for bringing joy and love to whomever you met. We love you always!
She is survived by her sister, Karen Rowe; brother, Sam (Alice) Christensen; daughter, Kay (Maughn) Hull; sons: Blaine Boyack, Chris (Susan) Boyack, Marvin (Debbie) Boyack; and 15 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She is preceded in death by her parents, Howard James and Edna Gardner Christensen; her beloved husband, Ronald Arthur Boyack; brothers Howard James Christensen Jr and Clark Gardner Christensen; daughter, Nan Boyack; and sons, Roger Howard Boyack and Steven Kent Boyack.
Service Information:
Viewing: September 17, 2021
10:00 a.m.
LDS Church at 1167 South 1700 East
Spanish Fork, UT 84660
Funeral Service: September 17, 2021
11:00 a.m.
LDS Church at 1167 South 1700 East
Spanish Fork, UT 84660
Please join us here on this obituary page just prior to the service time on September 17, 2021, and view the funeral service HERE.
2 Condolences for Dolores Christensen Boyack
Condolences(2)
Susan and Scott Beckstrom says
September 16, 2021 at 3:42 pmOur sympathy is with your family at this difficult time. I worked with Chris at Western States Energy/ICI Explosives in Lehi. I always love visiting with him about Spanish Fork and his ancestors. Chris was a wonderful co-worker and I enjoyed working with him and getting to know Susan and his family. Reading your moms obituary makes it easy to see why Chris was such a kind individual, he was raised by an amazing mother. May you reflect often on the many memories you have of your mother.
Rebecca Coombs O’Boyle says
September 19, 2021 at 12:22 amI met Delores in the very last months of her journey here. I was called to serve as a helper in the Legacy Care Branch. I was able to visit her and reminisce about growing up in Salem. Even after Delores was confined to her bed, she was kind and pleasant. A few times, we listened to music together and it brought a smile to her face. Everyone in the Branch loved her and she was a shining example of grace, dignity and endurance! I pray your family is blessed with comfort and continues to feel her love in your heart.