Candace Ruth Chilcott, beloved mother, sister, and grandmother, passed away in her home in Payson, Utah on October 19th, 2023. She slipped away, surrounded by loved ones, two weeks shy of her 74th birthday.  She is survived by her four loving children, eleven grandchildren, one great-grandchild, two sisters and a brother.

Candace was born November 1, 1949, to Donald Woolley, Sr. and Rozel Woolley in Riverside, California.  She split her childhood between playing on the campus of the University of Utah while her father earned his doctoral degrees in Chemical Engineering and Materials science, and spending time with family in Riverside, California.  Her mother and extended family members helped round-out her upbringing with their experience in the visual and performing arts.  She proudly displayed her Aunt Leone Woolley-Fletcher’s paintings in her home all of her life.

Candace carried a love of the performing arts into her college education.  She majored in Theater Arts at BYU, which afforded her the opportunity to travel abroad during the height of the Vietnam War.  She performed for U.S. troops in Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Guam while overseas, which was one of the most exhilarating and rewarding experiences of her life next to motherhood.

Candace was a dedicated mother, providing for her children by hard work and sacrifice.  Her commitment and courage imbued her children with a strong work ethic and the inspiration to join the armed forces.  Three of her four children served in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts; during which time, Candace did volunteer work with the Blue Star Mothers, helping to send thousands of care packages and neck coolers to deployed soldiers.  She was also politically active, meeting with congressmen to forward issues affecting her deployed children.

Active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints all her life, she was proud of her Mormon Pioneer heritage, and participated regularly in Family History work.  Her grandmother Smith was her favorite ancestor, whom she often remembered with fondness.  She was proud to recreate her grandmother’s recipes for her family every Christmas, passing on a rich family tradition of bonding through cooking.  Candace’s recipe collections were among the household treasures her children loved to bring into the traditional cooking of their own budding families.

Candace was famous for her festive spirit, and love of music, art and dancing.  Her home was always decorated to reflect the holidays and seasons.  She was boldly patriotic, and incredibly crafty.  She made many of her own clothes, costumes and decorations.  There were always stars and stripes adorning her walls.  She performed a special Christmas poem by Eugene Field for her children and friends every year – a tradition her children have fondly carried on to the next generation.

A fearless performer, Candace danced with Jean’s Golden Girls – a traveling troupe of senior women – through her twilight years, until her health no longer permitted it.  She loved the camaraderie of her fellow dancers, traveling, and performing every chance she got.  She was even included in a music video of Alex Boye’s “Oldtown Funk,” a parody of the Bruno Mars hit “Uptown Funk.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjRlJvOxIY0

Services in celebration of Candace’s incredible life will be held Saturday, October 28th 2023, at the Walker Funeral Home in Spanish Fork, Utah at 11:00 a.m. A Visitation will be held prior to services from 9:30 am – 10:45 am. Following the service, an interment will take place at the Highland Cemetery.

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Candace Ruth Chilcott LIVESTREAM