Darlene Howard Belnap Foley

Our dear mother, Darlene Howard Belnap Foley died peacefully on April 27, 2025, almost one month shy of her 99th birthday. She was born on June 13, 1926, in Holladay, Utah.

In her youth she loved playing the piano and singing, riding on her pony, named Tony, and working after school at her father’s grocery store to earn a little money. She excelled in typing and shorthand. She graduated from Granite High School in 1944.

After high school, she attended BYU where she met her eternal sweetheart, Bryan West Belnap. They married in the SLC Temple on June 12, 1946. Over the years they welcomed 7 children. Her life was a life of love and service.

Mom was a gifted homemaker. She was also an exceptional seamstress making many clothes for her children and wedding dresses for her daughters. She made many quilts for her children, grandchildren, and humanitarian projects. She was an excellent pianist. She taught her children, grandchildren, and others to play. She also had a beautiful singing voice and loved to play and sing with her children at the piano. She played the piano and organ in church and for special events. She also played the accordion and loved playing with her father.

In January 1967, West died after a struggle with brain cancer. At the time of his death, he was the Dean of the College of Religion at BYU. This was a challenging time for her with her seven children at home to raise; the youngest, David, was only 6 months old.

She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings. She served as a primary chorister for 25 years, was a Stake Relief Society President, she was an organist, and pianist.

After raising the children as a widow for 18 years she dated and married Fred Foley in 1985.

She served 4 missions. She and Fred served in the Australia Perth and California Ventura Missions where they loved their time serving together. After 13 happy years together, Fred passed away in 1998.

In 1999, she was called on a mission to Alabama Birmingham. During her mission, she was able to help with the dedication of the Birmingham Temple and enjoyed proselyting.

Upon returning she helped some of her children for a few years that had some medical issues. In 2004, she was called to serve in the Arizona Tucson Mission. She was able to express her love for the Savior and her testimony of the gospel with her missionary service as a single sister.

After her missions she enjoyed devoting her time helping her family. Her daughter, Bonnie Miller, died in 2015, after a lengthy illness. Her son, Howard, died in 2018, after a fall and extensive medical problems. Another daughter, Kristene Largey, just recently passed away on April 21, 2025.

She is survived by her 4 living children: Darlene Alder (Francis), Beverly Jones, Barbara Green (Phil), David (Becky), Annette Slade (sister) and Kathleen Kristensen (sister), 25 living grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren.

You will be missed. We know we will see you again. We love you, Mom.

A viewing will be held on Friday, May 9, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Edgemont 2nd Ward meeting house, located at 555 E. 3230 N. Provo, Utah 84604.

On Saturday, May 11, 2025, a viewing will be held in the same location from 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM, with a service to follow at 12:00 PM. Interment will be at Eastlawn Memorial Cemetery.