Frances (Bun) Kayona, 80, passed away peacefully on Sept. 1, 2010. Frances was greatly beloved by all for her helpful, generous nature, as well as her upbeat, fun, “ready to try anything” attitude.

An Arizona native, Frances grew up on the Salt River Indian Reservation and was a boarding student at St. John’s Indian Mission School in Laveen during her high school years. After raising their family in Scottsdale for 25 years, she and her husband Ray moved their family to Payson, where they had a home in Star Valley for over 30 years. Frances worked in the Special Education program at Julia Randall School until retirement, and was a volunteer in the Special Ed Olympics program for many years. Volunteer work was important to Frances throughout her life, beginning in the sixties volunteering in Salt River’s Head Start program, to cooking at St. John’s annual fair, to coaching in Payson’s Special Olympics, to making frybread for a Ft. McDowell fundraiser, and continuing until recently, making quilts at the Salt River Senior Center. All of these organizations will miss her selfless dedication to helping others, as will her family and friends. She will be sorely missed by her family and the many family friends who say she was like a mother to them, affectionately calling her “Mama K.”

Frances is survived by daughters Kathy Badger, Frances Ann Kayona and Teresa Kayona; son Boy Kayona; five grandchildren; five great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. She is preceded in death by her husband Ray, daughter Valerie, and grandson Kenny.

A visitation was held Sept. 3 at Messinger Mortuary. A graveside service will be held Sept. 4 at the Mormon Church, 3040 N Extension Rd., Scottsdale, Ariz., on Saturday.