Stephanie Tate Densley, 51, took the hand of her beloved daughter, Briana, and passed into the eternities on November 3rd, 2006. She is finally at peace after a valiant fight against malignant melanoma.
Steph was born on November 1st, 1955 to Charles and Dianne Tate. She grew up in Orem and graduated with high honors from Orem High School and Brigham Young University, where she specialized in Early Childhood Education. She met her sweetheart, Dale, at BYU, and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on February 14th, 1980. Together they shared a love that will continue forever. In her 29 years as a school teacher, she influenced hundreds of children for good and helped foster a love and knowledge of reading in the reading recovery program. She spent most of her teaching career at Cherry Hill Elementary, where she found some of her dearest friends. She retired from Alpine School District last May. She was a devoted and wonderful mother to her three daughters, Brooke, Jamie, and Briana. They adored her and cherished the time they had with her. The light of her life was her grandson, Parker. In the short time they had together, she spoiled her "little Parkerman" with love like only a grandma can. She has left a legacy of love and learning that inspired all who knew her.
She is survived by her loving husband, Dale, and two of her daughters, Brooke (Andrew) Barnes and Jamie Densley; grandson, Parker Barnes; parents; mother-in-law, Joyce Densley; sisters: Liz Tice, Becky (Joe) Ahlberg, Janet (Kent) Stevens, Amy (Tyler) Daniels, Kim (Kiley) Brannon; brother: Coray (Krista) Tate; and many other extended family members. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Briana; father-in-law, Keith Densley; and brother-in-law, Jerry Densley.
The funeral will be held on November 7th at 2 PM at the Mapleton White Church located at the corner of Maple Street and Main Street. Friends and family may visit Monday from 7-9 PM at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North, Orem, and Tuesday at the church from 12:45-1:45 PM prior to the funeral.
A memorial fund has been set up in Stephanie's name at BYU in the College of Education to aid the teaching of literacy in inner-city schools. Please give generously to this fund in lieu of flowers. Checks payable to BYU should be sent to the Stephanie Densley Memorial Fund, c/o Kyle Tresner, 392 WIDB, Provo, UT 84602.