Valerie Mackay Jensen

Valerie Mackay Jensen—Cedar Hills, Utah—Our dear wife, mom, grandma, and friend to all passed away at home, in the arms of her husband of 48 years, on September 13, 2022. She was born February 20, 1954, in Salt Lake City to Harold Hintze Mackay and Grace Lavin Mackay, and from that day forward brought light and love to everyone around her. She married “Randy Dandy,” her sweetheart, steady anchor, and eternal companion, on August 13, 1974, in the Salt Lake City Temple, and soon realized her dream of being mom to five children by birth and many others by heart.

She was acquainted with grief, though reliance on her Savior brought her unyielding strength in dark times and divine ability to see and heal the heartache of others. No soul crossed her path without her notice, without having their needs attended and spirits uplifted, without feeling their value, worth, and eternal nature. She moved heaven and earth to make the tiniest difference in someone’s day, acting on love and wisdom that by small and simple things great things are brought to pass. And what greatness indeed she has brought to pass in our lives!

In life, she stood by her man as his loyal partner and best friend. She was the “cool Mom” to her kids, sweet “Grandma Cookie” to her grandkids. She was friend to the friendless, and “Val-Pal” to many. She was a listening ear, an open heart to the yearning soul. She was servant and teacher, leader and example. She was starstruck and made those she loved feel like a star. She was laughter and dancing and singing in the car. She was a neatly wrapped present decorated just right. She was fun in the sand and a ray of sunlight. She was a cookie, a card and Diet Coke for a friend. She was unbending faith and God’s love without end.

In passing, she’s still our sunshine, our forever sunshine! She makes us happy, when skies are grey. Our hearts are broken, how much we miss her! Please send her sunshine, from Heaven, our way.

Valerie is survived by her husband, Randy; her children R. Jared (Brianne) Jensen, R. Jeremy “Bo” (Emily) Jensen, Tiffany (Patrick) Enger, Chase J. (Allison) Jensen, Johnathon “Johnny” (Amanda) Jensen, and Danny (“Allie”) Jensen; brother Jay (Mitzi) Mackay; sisters Karen Peterson and Gayle Ivey; 26 grandchildren; and countless other “adopted” family members and friends who she loved dearly and carried deeply in her heart. Friends and extended family may call Thursday, September 22, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Nelson Family Mortuary located at 4780 N. University Avenue, Provo, Utah and Friday, September 23, 2022, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Cedar Hills 17th Ward LDS Chapel located at 3950 W. Cedar Hills Dr., Cedar Hills, UT 84062. Funeral services will follow directly thereafter at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Highland City Cemetery at 6200 W 11000 N., Highland, UT 84003.

Though Val loves flowers (and they are welcomed), consider instead sharing a Diet Coke on ice, a handwritten card, and a plate of freshly baked cookies with a soul in need.