Foy Mae Durrance

Our precious sister, aunt, stepmother, and devoted friend, Foy Mae Dafner Durrance Andrus, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, September 26, 2025. Foy was born on September 8, 1926, in Lake City, Florida, to William Oscar Durrance and Cleo Dafner (Bullard) Durrance. She was the third of ten children born to Oscar and Cleo. Although Foy never had children of her own, she was a loving and dedicated aunt and great-aunt to her nieces and nephews. In short, everyone loves Aunt Foy. She had just celebrated her 99th birthday earlier in the month, surrounded by several affectionate family members.

After World War II, Foy married her sweetheart, Ansel "Andy" Junior Andrus, on February 11, 1945, in Florida City, Dade, Florida. They were married for 64 years until Andy died in 2009. Andy was a career U.S. Navy man and a successful artist. Over the many years they spent together, they had the opportunity to live in several areas throughout the world, where Foy was always the perfect hostess. One of her favorite opportunities was living in Hawaii, where Andy was based. Foy loved to quilt, home decorating, and entertaining her friends. She also loved to travel and took every opportunity to "see the world" whenever she could. Upon Andy's retirement from the Navy, they lived in Pocatello, Idaho, and Jacksonville, Florida, before finally returning to Foy's hometown of Lake City. A few years after Andy's passing, Foy married her widowed brother-in-law and lifelong friend, Rulon Andrus. Foy and Rulon were a blessing and comfort to each other in their later years. He passed away in 2020 during the COVID-19 epidemic.

As a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Foy had the opportunity to serve in several auxiliaries in her local congregations. She especially loved the children and youth of the church. She had the opportunity on numerous occasions to serve in the Primary and Young Women's programs wherever she lived. She was not only their teacher and advisor but was also their best friend and confidant. She loved nothing better than treating them to her delicious ice-cream sundaes or hosting a party on their birthdays. They all loved her deeply and continued to communicate with her through the many years following her church callings. She proudly displayed updated photos of the children she had mentored, as well as nieces and nephews throughout her home.

Foy leaves behind many people who loved her dearly, including her younger siblings, Jean McRae (Ted McRae), Brenda Lovett (Harry Lovett), and Joe Durrance (Connie Bone Durrance), as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and Rulon's sons, Glen (Terry), Gary, and Jeffrey (Doris), and their families. As the news of her passing reached family members, the standard reply, "Aw, sweet Aunt Foy," was heard from several family members.

Foy was known for her fun-loving temperament, unwavering loyalty, and kind smile. She simply loved people, especially her family. She always spoke with a soft, gentle voice, making all around her feel loved and cherished. In the final week of her life, Foy was often heard humming or singing a favorite hymn, including "I Am a Child of God." We will miss you, dear sister and aunt-until we meet again at Jesus' feet.

Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, October 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM in the Gateway-Forest Lawn Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. A time of visitation with the family will be from 1:30PM to 2:00 PM prior to the service.