Patsy Bushnell Starley, beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, niece, and friend passed away Saturday, December 19, 2015. She was born April 12, 1945 in Fillmore, Utah to Ural J. & Lola Forsyth Bushnell. She was welcome by two older brothers, Clell, age 9; and Ned, age 7. She was born on her brother Ned’s birthday, and legend has it he was disappointed that their mother wasn’t home baking him a birthday cake. Her sister, Janeen, was born 10 years later in 1955. Patsy often said she prayed 10 years for her little sister. She was sad to lose her older brother, Clell, too early in a car accident.
Patsy had a wonderful childhood growing up in the farming community of Meadow, Utah. She graduated from Millard High School where she met her High School Sweetheart, LaVoy Starley. They were married March 21, 1963 in the Manti LDS Temple. Upon graduating from high school, the sweethearts moved to Cedar City, Utah, where the marriage was blessed with 8 wonderful children over a span of 17 years: Janette (Mark) Conz; Steven (Anna) Starley; Brian (Laura) Starley; Denice Starley (LaVelle Washington); Lisa Starley (Edmond Seith); Marcie Wilde; Marcia (Bryan) Anderson; and Jason (Trishia) Starley. In 1980, the entire family moved back to Fillmore, Utah where they were able to enjoy extended family.
Patsy loved giving. She never forgot a birthday or Christmas. She continually expressed how blessed she was. Her home was a nice size and was thankful for the ability to share it with others. It was always open to many. For the past several Thanksgivings, Janeen and her family joined Patsy and hers. For more than 20 years, Patsy prepared a treasure hunt with clues that rhymed and a treasure at the end. No one was ever forgotten and everyone enjoyed candy and a small gift.
Many wonderful friendships were formed over the 20 years Patsy spent as an Avon representative. She had around 250 customers at once. It was the perfect job for her as it allowed her to focus on her family.
Patsy’s most prized possession is her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where she had many callings: Secretary of the Primary, President, counselor, and teacher of the Relief Society, visiting teacher, and ward chorister. She also enjoyed team teaching with LaVoy in Sunday school and primary.
On April 4, 2011, LaVoy and Patsy traveled to Sharon, Vermont where they were called to serve an 18 month mission at the Joseph Smith Memorial: the birthplace of Joseph Smith. They had the privilege of taking care of the grounds. The missionaries and couples they served with became dear friends whose friendships were greatly treasured by Patsy.
Not long after celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, Patsy was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The initial prognosis gave her 4 – 12 months to live. Patsy had her own plans and didn’t say goodbye until 26 months later; Patsy always lived her life to the fullest with a smile on her face and joy in her heart. During those 26 months, the family was blessed to spend this precious time with her fishing, traveling, camping, and just having fun together. For Christmas of 2013, Patsy and LaVoy traveled to Hawaii to complete their goal of visiting all 50 states. They also enjoyed a cruise to Baja Mexico and later Alaska during this borrowed time; as well as 3 trips to Oregon to visit her eldest daughter and enjoy the coast, one of her favorite places to be when she wasn’t fishing. Another cruise to the Mexican Riviera was in the works for next year, but sometime around mid December she told her daughter, Marcia, she didn’t think she was going to make that one. A few days later she was gone, but not until she had prepared everyone’s Christmas and tied up a few loose ends. It was always so important to her that everyone knew she was thinking of them. She would show up after her adventures with little trinkets for everyone. One of her favorite places to buy souvenirs on the Oregon Coast was a shop called Flamingo Jim’s and the family would tease her about how much time she spent there on her trips.
Patsy is preceded in death by her parents; and older brother: Clell. She is survived by her husband: Lavoy; all 8 children and 26 grandchildren; her brother: Ned Bushnell and sister: Janeen Bushnell Hare.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 26, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Fillmore LDS Stake Center, 21 S 300 W, Fillmore, Utah. Viewings will be held at the Fillmore LDS Stake Center on Friday, December 25, 6:00-8:00 p.m.; and Saturday, 9:30-10:40 a.m., prior to the service. Burial dedication will follow the funeral at the Meadow Cemetery.
Patsy’s family thanks Dr. Cordell Bott and his team at the Revere Health Oncology clinic in Provo for the wonderful care they provided over the last 26 months.