Gloria Elgene Duncan Chaston

Gloria Elgene Duncan Chaston, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great–great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully at the ago of 96 on Sunday, June 21, 2026 in Provo, Utah. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in a variety of leadership, teaching, and service callings.

Gloria was born on October 7, 1929 to Leon Duncan and Evelyn Sophrina Johnson in Murray, Utah. She graduated from South High School with honors in 1946 at the age of 16 having taken particular interest in business classes that prepared her for her first job at the Salt Lake Department of Public Welfare as a stenographer. She was athletic, superb on both ice skates and roller skates, a graceful dancer, and a competitive spirit in other games and activities, a trait she possessed throughout her life. On September 12, 1949, Gloria married Albert Norton Chaston, in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On September 12, 2024, they celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary two months before Norton’s passing.

Gloria valued education and learning for herself and for her children. In 1977, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Brigham Young University in University Studies with an emphasis in Latin and Genealogy. She encouraged learning in her children, beginning with early and consistent trips to the public library, and persisting with support and encouragement for their academic advancement and success. In addition to her writing and organizational skills she excelled in creative outlets that included her sewing, quilting, baking, food preservation, and candy making.

Gloria held a fervent testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and of our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness for all. She had firmly planted in her heart the promises made of old that the children’s hearts would turn to their fathers (See Doctrine and Covenants 2). Beginning in her young adulthood she dedicated her time, energy, and talents to genealogical and temple work with special focus on the gathering of Israel on the other side of the veil. To this end she taught classes and workshops on how to organize and accomplish genealogical research, offered her expertise to help to anyone who desired assistance and guidance, and co-authored with Laureen Jaussi five books on the subject: Fundamentals of Genealogical Research, Genealogy Records of Utah, Register of LDS Church Records, Register of Genealogical Society Call Numbers Volume I, and Register of Genealogical Society Call Numbers Volume II. She was appointed librarian for the Utah Valley Branch Genealogical Library at Brigham Young University May 1984 and was honored by the Utah Genealogical Association with the Distinguished Service Award and designation of Fellow. Gloria and Norton also served family history service missions locally in the BYU Family History Library, and in Australia and Scotland.

Gloria would want all to know that her true legacy, which she forged with Norton, were the five children – three sons and two daughters, 23 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren, and the spouses of those who joined the family through marriage. Gloria loved all of them and delighted in and spoke often of their lives, talents, personalities and accomplishments.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her two sisters –Lawanna Tripp and Faye Jennings; a daughter-in-law, Judith Fay Law Chaston; and two grandsons, Matthew Chaston and Tyler Moore. Gloria is survived by her children, Larry (Jenni) of Veyo, Utah; Keith (Dawn) of Dubuque, Iowa; John (Linda) of Provo, Utah; Carolyn (Dave) Moore of Provo, Utah; Anne (Kendell) Hellewell of Payette, Idaho; 21 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren.

The family, on behalf of Gloria, thank the Jamestown staff and the Bristol Hospice staff who loved her and facilitated her final months on earth. We also thank Dr. Richard Parkinson, Dr. Evan Perry, and Dr. Brian Dawson for their kind and skilled care over the years.

The funeral service will be held at Nelson Family Mortuary, 4780 North University Avenue, Provo, Utah, 84604 on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 11:00am MST. A viewing will precede the funeral from 9:30am to 10:45. A graveside service will be held at Orem Cemetery, 1520 North 800 East, Orem, Utah, 84097, following the funeral services (approx. 12:30pm MST).

We invite you to share your fondest memories and upload photos of Gloria on her memorial page, as we remember and celebrate her extraordinary life. Her spirit, her love, and her service will forever be remembered and cherished.