Rachel Petty Lunt

Rachel Petty Lunt 1910 ~ 2003  Rachel Petty Lunt (age 93) passed away peacefully Saturday, October 25, 2003 in the presence of her "three boys"; Larry, (Sue); Edward, (Penny); and Robert Lunt. Born on May 21, 1910 in St. George, Utah to Charles B. Petty and Maggie Cottom, Rachel was the oldest of five children; Norma Strasser (Dilworth), Utahna Belnap (Le Grand), Leila Shipp (Edwin) and Neuman Petty (Ireva). She married George Vernon "Vern" Lunt on February 16, 1937, in Salt Lake City, Utah and they were later sealed together on September 5, 2002 in the Jordan River Temple. As a young girl, Rachel clerked in the family store where she learned the art of selling. She attended the B.A.C. Junior College in Cedar City, Utah, and then attended the University of Southern California, graduating in 1934 with a BS degree in Banking and Commerce. Believing there were opportunities for "gals" as well as "guys", and always being years ahead of her time, Rachel went on to a life in the business world. After graduation she worked in the family business, "Petty Ford", and then with her husband, Vern, in building and running the Lunt Motel in Salt Lake City for many years along with several motor hotels in Phoenix, Ariz. She was instrumental in changing the routing of highway US 40 through Salt Lake City to its present route along Foothill Blvd., next to the University of Utah, and down 400 So., this has resulted in decades of benefit to these areas of the Salt Lake valley. Rachel and Vern traveled the world making friends in many countries and developing an appreciation for many peoples, cultures, and fashions. They hosted numerous dignitaries from many countries who visited both their Salt Lake City and Phoenix homes. Their home in Salt Lake, with a view of the entire valley, however, is best remembered for the Christmas lights that decorated it during the holiday season, winning numerous awards and enjoyed by the thousands who saw them every year. Rachel had a love of nature and particularly for the beauty of Sedona, Arizona; where she had many friends and where Rachel's Knoll, a sanctuary of peace and beauty that she loved to visit, is named after her.  An avid reader and a seeker of truth and knowledge her whole life, Rachel was interested in a wide range of pursuits from physical health to spiritual development and fulfillment. However, her greatest interest was always her "three boys".  Along with her sons, Rachel has been looked after and cared for on a daily basis by her nieces, Barbara Belnap and Arlene Waldron and her nephew, Dr. Le Grand Belnap who were always there for "Aunt Rachel". She is survived by her three sons, 15 grandchildren; and 15 great-grand- children; her sisters, Norma and Leila, and her brother Neuman.  Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thurs. Oct. 30, 2003, in the Monument Park 9th Ward, 1565 South Foothill Drive. Friends may call at the Holladay-Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 So. Highland Dr. Wed. 7-8 p.m. and Thurs. at the ward from 9-9:45 a.m. Interment, Sunset Lawn Cemetery. The family would like to thank all those at the Highland Care Center who looked after and provided for "Rachel" for the past three years and made the Care Center her "home".