Lynda Heath Behunin

Lynda Heath Behunin passed away all too quickly from natural causes on the morning of Monday the 24th of August 2026. Lynda was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend. Her lovely voice and thoughtful kindness will be missed terribly by those who were blessed to know and love her.

Lynda was born on September 16, 1940, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to John Frederick Heath and Deon Belliston Heath. John was a widower with a young son when he married Lynda’s loving mother. That young son, Paul, was a kind older brother to Lynda. She also had a younger brother, Johnny, with whom she was very close. She was the last living member of her family, and she loved and missed each of them dearly.

Lynda often described her happy childhood and talked about her love for her mother and father to her children and grandchildren. She was inspired to nurture her children with the love, devotion, and encouragement that she had received. Her friends were like family to her, and she had dear friends of all ages. Her closest school friends became her sisters who continued their loving friendships throughout their lives.

After graduating from South High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she enjoyed art class and singing in the choirs, she attended the University of Utah. She also attended beauty school and worked in Sugar House, Utah, before meeting Garry J. Behunin, a young engineer who had just moved to Salt Lake City.

On November 7, 1960, Lynda and Garry were married and sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and began their lives together with hopes and dreams of having a large family. When they had three small children, Karen, David, and Robert, Lynda and Garry moved to Great Neck, New York, on Long Island. They had many dear friends and wonderful experiences there but longed to be home in Utah.

Upon their return to the Wasatch Front and Lynda’s beloved mountains, Laurie and Tim were born. Lynda and her family lived in Bountiful, Utah, and she and Garry were busy parents and active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Lynda faithfully served in the Primary, Young Women’s, and Relief Society. She also sang in a quartet and enjoyed sharing her testimony of the gospel through her vocal talent.

Music was one of the most important parts of Lynda’s life. She sang to and with her children and grandchildren. She encouraged them to sing and learn to play instruments and fostered her knowledge of music’s powerful influence for good. She firmly believed and taught that the hymns and Primary music of the Church were scripture that would always invite peace and joy and testify of Jesus Christ.

In 1975, Lynda and Garry moved to Idaho for Garry’s work. She was no longer near her family, but she had good friends in Idaho, and she helped her family to flourish on a small farm in Eagle. Gardening was a favorite pastime, and creating a beautiful outdoor place for the family and nurturing animals blessed her children’s lives.

Lynda spent most of her time involved with her children’s activities. Her children knew that if they had an activity, they could always look into the crowd and see her smiling face. She also read them books and taught them about art and spent time making family dinners and holiday traditions an important part of family life.

Lynda raised her children and inspired them to study and to go to university. She sacrificed her time to work outside of the home to help the dream of higher education become a reality for each of them. She listened to their struggles and gave thoughtful comments when times were difficult. She was prayerful and observant with her family and others and knew how to say just the right thing, providing comfort in any situation.

Lynda loved her family and the gospel of Jesus Christ. She always tried to light the pathway for others. Her light will not be dimmed by this temporary goodbye and will continue to live in all of those she loves.

She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Deon Heath; her brothers Paul and Johnny (Sarah); and her son Robert. She is survived by her husband Garry Behunin; her daughters Karen (Patrick) DeMara and Laurie (Douglas) Maus; her sons David (Valeen) and Tim; and her daughter-in-law Cindy Stalenski. Additionally, she is survived by sixteen grandchildren: Hunter, Megan, Paige (Dustin), Cameron (Melody), Kelly-Sue, Will (Jessica), Erin, Hailee (Peter), Max, Heath, Connor, Brette (Chris), Brooke, Garret, Emma, and Jack. She also left 11 great-grandchildren, many cousins, nieces and nephews, and numerous friends.

The services for Lynda Behunin will include a viewing at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 12040 W. Amity Road, Boise, Idaho 83709, followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. The interment will take place at 1:00 p.m. at Dry Creek Cemetery, Eagle, Idaho.

Many thanks go to her family and her friends for their support. In her honor, think of someone to quietly serve or plant something beautiful to grow and make someone’s day a little brighter.