Colleen Joan Best of Lehi, UT, has passed away, leaving behind a family and community who loved her dearly.
Some lives speak quietly; her is one such story.
Colleen held deeply to the Latter-day Saints faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
The community of faith holds its own well — and Colleen was held.
Colleen Joan Best, my beloved mom, peacefully returned to her Heavenly Father on April 27, 2026 at Pointe Meadows Health & Rehabilitation in Lehi. She was born at home on February 9, 1941 in Helper, Utah. She was the first child of William Durney and Anne Paur. She lived in Helper and Morgan while she was in elementary school.
On March 25, 1946 her mother remarried John "Bill" Nestor Mackey in Rifle, Colorado. Colleen had three siblings; Pamela (Scott) Christianson, Kathryn (David) Littleton, and Scot (Kimberly) Mackey. Together they lived throughout Utah. Colleen, being the oldest, took part in raising all three of her younger siblings.
When Colleen was attending Cyprus High School, she went out cruising one night with her friends and met the love of her life, Grant Morrell Best. They were married on February 21, 1958 and were active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Colleen and Grant were blessed with two daughters Shaunna Lee Best Whittier and Michelle Ann Best.
Colleen was preceded in death by her parents John (Bill) Nestor Mackey and Anne Paur Mackey, husband Grant Morrell Best, her daughter Michelle Ann Best.
She is survived by her daughter Shaunna Whitter (Doug), grandchildren Jessica Saxton (Jeremy) and Kaden Sutherland, and great grandchildren Bronson (Kiya) Dupaix, Brennan (Callie) Dupaix, Brayden Dupaix, Kiden Dupaix, and great, great grandchildren, Penelope, Archer, Delta, Scarlett, and Sterling. Colleen adored her grandkids!
Colleen and her late husband Grant enjoyed square dancing and round dancing and had a club called the Pioneer Squares. They were really dedicated to square dancing and they made many new friends along the way. Colleen loved to sew just about anything, including her gorgeous square dancing dresses. She was very creative and made and sold crafts at the Quilted Bear. She also made unique Halloween costumes. Colleen and Grant loved to travel and took trips to many places.
The family would like to thank Pointe Meadows Health & Rehab staff and also Active Home Hospice for the wonderful and dedicated care they gave to her.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary (1950 E. Dimple Dell Rd, Sandy, Utah), followed by a graveside service at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery at 12:20 PM. Following the services, a luncheon will be provided at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (531 W. 3200 N., Lehi, Utah).
To view Colleen's graveside service online via Zoom, please click the blue tab above that says "Watch Services".
Larkin Mortuary 260 E South Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (801)-363-5781
Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 E Dimple Dell Rd Sandy, UT 84092 (801) 571-2771
Larkin Sunset Lawn 2350 E 1300 S Salt Lake City, UT 84108 (801) 582-1582
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