Obituary: Eileen R. Dunyon Christensen

1917 ~ 2004

Eileen Robinson Dunyon Christensen passed away peacefully at home December 24, 2004.

She was born June 3, 1917 in Preston, Idaho to John W. and Mary Olive Stone Robinson. Eileen graduated from the University of Utah, Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Elementary Education. She married Joy Fitzgerald Dunyon in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on December 27, 1938. He preceded her in death on March 5, 1980. She married Gordon M. Christensen on January 12, 1990. He also preceded her in death on February 5, 1995.

Of greatest importance to her were her family, her Church and her testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ. She was actively involved in Church service with many responsibilities over the years, including serving as Second Counselor to the Primary General Board as a member of the Primary General Board for eleven years, and serving a mission in the Central British Mission where her husband, Joy F. Dunyon, was appointed Mission President. During this mission she was Supervisor of West European Primaries, under the direction of Elder Mark E. Petersen.

After returning from the mission, Eileen worked in the educational field. She was Media Director for several Jordan District Elementary Schools, and wrote the Jordan Media Guide which was adopted by the State and became the State Media Guide.

Joy F. Dunyon passed away in 1980 and Eileen lived in Sandy for the next ten years serving as a volunteer with the Jordan Credit Union, the Alta View Hospital, the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, where she became International President, and the Days of '47, Inc., where she served as First Vice-President. She was selected as Utah's Mother of the Year in 1982.

She married Gordon M. Christensen January 12, 1990. They traveled extensively until his death in 1995. In 1999 she moved to Farmington, Utah, making her home with her daughter Joleen and son-in-law William Barker.

Eileen is survived by three children: Joleen D. Barker (William), Dennis R. Dunyon (Chris), Vanessa D. Nelson; daughter-in-law Janis J. Dunyon; step-daughter Canda Lynn Patterson; stepson Gordon S. Christensen (Sydney); 20 grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and three step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two sisters, son Joy R. "Jerry" Dunyon, son-in-law Charles R. Nelson.

Her family would like to express sincere appreciation to Cathy Rasmussen and the IHC Hospice staff for their kind and professional care.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 29, at 11:00 a.m. at the Farmington 21st Ward Chapel, 729 West Shepard Lane, Farmington. Friends may call beginning at 9:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment, Salt Lake City Cemetery.