Paula Cundiff, Esteemed Community Member, Passes Away at 79

Paula Gene Young Cundiff, a cherished member of the Denton, Texas community, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2025, in Lehi, Utah. She was 79 years old. Her life was marked by strong familial ties, a dedication to service, and a profound love for animals.

Born on August 15, 1946, in Denton, she was the only child of Nancy G. McSpadden Young and Paul Eugene Young, Jr.. Paula graduated from Denton High School and later attended the University of North Texas. Throughout her life, she resided in various Texas cities, including Plano, Sanger, Granbury, and Nacogdoches. In 2017, she moved to San Francisco, California, with her family, and later relocated to Lehi, Utah, in 2021.

Paula dedicated 16 years of her professional life to the role of Administrative Assistant within the Accounting Department at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, where she retired in 2005. Her commitment to community extended beyond her career; she was a long-time member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Nacogdoches.

Throughout her life, Paula held a deep affection for animals, caring for numerous pets including cats, dogs, and ferrets. She was especially known for her kindness towards generations of raccoons that frequented her back porch during the cold winters in Nacogdoches.

In her personal life, Paula was married to her junior high sweetheart, John E. Cundiff, from 1965 to 1983. Together, they had two children, Cami Shey and Chad Alexander. Tragically, she faced the profound sorrow of losing her son, Chad, who passed away at the age of 12 in 1991.

Paula is survived by her daughter Cami, son-in-law Ben, and her four grandchildren: Sienna, Anastasia, Noah, and William. She is also remembered by her cousin, Corry McSpadden, of Meeker, Oklahoma.

Her legacy lives on in the hearts of those she touched, as she now reunites with her parents and her beloved son Chad. Online condolences can be expressed at www.mulkeybowlesmontgomery.com.