Heidi Dunkley, 46, passed away on February 24, 2022 due to hypoxic respiratory failure caused by ARDS pneumonitis and NOT cancer. She was surrounded by her family as she slipped away peacefully for her longest run.
She was born in Logan, Utah to Cheryl Peterson and the late Val “Bugs” Ballard. Heidi also was blessed with a bonus Dad, Terry Peterson, who she referred to fondly as “Terental the Parental.”
She graduated from Sky View High School in 1993 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Utah State University in 1998 in physical education with a minor in history. She was perhaps the first graduate, from both schools, who didn’t listen to a word the teachers said because she was busy talking and socializing … a true talent.
On a rainy, but beautiful, June ninth day, Heidi married Ryan Dunkley for time and for all eternity in the Logan, Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Heidi lived every day to the fullest. She woke up singing and laughing (maybe a little off tune) and went to sleep singing and laughing. She loved the sunshine, summertime and wildflowers—all of which were abundant in the center of her universe in Smithfield Canyon. She radiated joy and happiness to everyone she came in contact with, and we look forward to having her as our Guardian Angel.
Heidi loved her family more than anything. She was fiercely devoted to Ryan and their children. She waged war on cancer for 11 years because it meant she’d have more time with her family. Heidi loved her kids equally and unconditionally. She loved Stockton’s kind and nurturing demeanor. She always talked about how he cared for her and how he clearly gave the best foot rubs. She loved that he found Kailen to marry. About a month before they got married, Heidi said, “It’s hard giving away my boy, but I sure am glad it’s to Kailen. I love how she loves him.” Heidi loved the way Halle is happy, independent and a little stubborn, just like she raised her to be. Heidi and Halle loved to talk and never fought, even though it sounded like a little arguing to Ryan. Once Ryan interrupted and asked why they fought so much. Both Heidi and Halle gave him a look that would scare the grim reaper and yelled simultaneously, “We are not fighting! We are talking!” Heidi had a soft spot for “Carsy” and always got a little emotional when he called or texted. Often Ryan would catch her looking at him, and she’d whisper, “He is so handsome.” She was so proud of him and loved watching him play football and live his life to the fullest. Little Lily is all Heidi and full of rainbows and sunshine. In one of Heidi’s greatest acts as a mom, she literally got off her death bed and talked the doctors into letting her leave the hospital so she could watch Lily dance at the High School Drill State Championships. She loved to watch Lily dance and almost daily told Ryan, “She is so good! How did she get so good?”
Besides her family, she loved running the most. She ran her first marathon with her good friend, Kelly Sampson Malmberg. She met Ryan’s dad at the beginning of another marathon, and she fell in love with Ryan while running yet another marathon…at least that’s what she told Ryan. She became a pillar of the community after becoming a mother and pushing a triple wide stroller with three kids through the streets of Smithfield. After Ryan convinced her she wouldn’t be eaten by a cougar, she traded in the stroller for a pair of trail shoes and never looked back. She had many favorite trails, but her favorite was Smithfield Canyon to Tony Grove and back to Smithfield Canyon. Heidi had a lot of trail running partners, but her mom was her favorite. They shared many miles on trails together, and Heidi loved every second of it, except one. Fresh off a treatment of chemotherapy, Heidi was having a hard time. Cheryl suggested that Heidi hang on to a stick so she could pull Heidi up the mountain. The offer wasn’t well received.
Heidi’s greatest running achievement was not winning races, although she did earlier in her life. It was her sheer determination to run through trial after trial on trail after trail. She ran several ultra marathons only a few days after her chemotherapy treatment. She ran ultra marathons with cramps in her legs and a bloody nose the entire race. The most impressive accomplishment of Heidi’s running career was running the Logan Peak Marathon with Jennifer Watterson. Most people finished the run in 5-8 hours. At this point in her life, Heidi was in remission, but had been treated with gallons of chemotherapy, radiation and several surgeries to treat metastatic breast cancer that had traveled to her lungs, liver, bones and brain. It took Heidi 17 hours to finish, and Jennifer stayed with her every step of the way. Heidi didn’t quit and not quitting was a constant theme in her life. The day before Heidi passed away, she looked at Ryan, then looked at her foot, wiggled her toe and looked back at Ryan with a little smile, as if to say “See, I’m getting better!”
Heidi loved everyone and had many friends. Her charisma, bubbly personality and optimism were infectious. If she wasn’t running, she was talking, and she’d talk to everyone, including the cowboy in the canyon, the garbage man or complete strangers at the airport. She accused Ryan of not having a filter when telling stories or conversing with friends, but her kids know that her filter was non-existent. She often said things to complete strangers that had her family scrambling quickly out and away from the conversation.
Heidi loved her “church people” and was dumbfounded when church went from three hours to two hours. She did her best to stay an extra hour socializing which drove her kids crazy, especially on Fast Sunday.
There was one thing that Heidi hated: germs. She hated germs more than she hated cancer. Heidi developed an incredible system for avoiding germs, including wearing rubber gloves and making homemade clorox wipes. Covid 19 disrupted the world and changed the life of everyone, but for the Dunkley’s, it was just another day in a germ-free paradise.
Heidi is survived by her husband of 23 years, Ryan, whom she loved more than anything or anyone and that has brought him great comfort and peace in the days following her death. She is survived by her four children: Stockton (Kailen) Dunkley, Halle Dunkley, Carson Dunkley and Lily Dunkley; her mom, Cheryl and her bonus dad, Terry Peterson. She is survived by four brothers: Justin (Ashley) Ballard, Brooks (Deanna) Ballard, Tyson (Kelli) Ballard and Timmy (BrookeAnn) Ballard. Also survived by her in-laws Craig and Cindy Dunkley.
Heidi was preceded in death by her dad, Val “Bugs” Ballard, her brother, Brandon Ballard and her grandpa, Dale Weeks.
A viewing will be held Thursday, March 3rd from 5:30pm to 8:00pm and again on March 4th from 10:00am to 11:30am.
There will be a funeral held in her honor on Friday, March 4th at noon. All events will be at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Smithfield 7th Ward building located at 79 East 200 South, Smithfield, Utah.
Interment will be at the Smithfield City Cemetery following the funeral.
The family would like to thank Dr. John Ward, who Heidi absolutely loved, and his amazing team at Huntsman Cancer Institute for the remarkable care they gave Heidi for 11 years. Additionally, thanks to the Intensive Care Units at both Logan Regional Hospital and Huntsman Cancer Institute. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Services entrusted to Wasatch Lawn Mortuary.