Paula Gene Young Cundiff, 79, of Denton, TX, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2025, in Lehi, UT.

Ms. Cundiff was born August 15, 1946, the only child of Nancy G. McSpadden Young and Paul Eugene Young, Jr. She was reared in Denton, graduating from Denton High School and attending the University of North Texas.

She lived most of her life in Texas: Denton, Plano, Sanger, Granbury, and Nacogdoches, moving with her family to San Francisco, CA (2017), and again with them to Lehi, UT (2021).

She retired in 2005 after spending 16 years as the Administrative Assistant to the Accounting Department at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX. She was a long-time member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Nacogdoches. Paula was a life-long friend to animals--a loving matron to cats, dogs, ferrets, and so many generations of back-porch raccoons who could rely on her kindness (and food) during cold Nacogdoches winters.

She and her junior high sweetheart, John E. Cundiff, were married from 1965-83, and had two children, Cami Shey and Chad Alexander.

Paula endured the devastating loss of her son, Chad Alexander Cundiff (d. [1991]), when he was 12.

She is survived by Cami, son-in-law Ben, grandchildren Sienna, Anastasia, Noah, and William, and her cousin Corry McSpadden (of Meeker, OK).

Paula leaves us now to reunite with her father, mother, and Chad.