Kathryn Hancock

Kathryn Tenney Hancock passed away in her home surrounded by her family on October 15, 2025, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 86 years old. Kathryn was born on May 29, 1939 in Snowflake Arizona to Lewis and Wanda Tenney.  As the oldest daughter, she was their pride and joy. At a very young age she helped her mom around the house and proved dependable and reliable in helping to care for her younger siblings. She was one of eleven children: Bill, Kathryn, Linda, Lewis Jr., Sylvia, Diana, Amanda, Armeda, Joseph, Warren, and Kem.

Kathryn made friends easily. She loved people and they loved her back. When she was 16, she met the love of her life, Ivan Franklin Hancock. After a short courtship they were married in the Mesa Arizona Temple on June 18, 1956. Mom always supported dad in all his work ethics. They made a great team. Together they had 6 children: Robert Ivan, Gregory Lynn, Richard Noble, Eric Fredrick, Sally Ann, and Jared Peterson.  Mom raised her babies in a loving home while helping Ivan run his businesses. She faithfully taught her children to pray, love Jesus, go to church, have scripture study, love the temple, follow the prophet, keep the commandments, love the constitution, work hard, and be good members of the community. Kathryn embroidered and framed a quote by David O. McKay: ‘Nothing can compensate for Failure in The Home”. It was always displayed in her home and seemed to be her motto as she strived to fulfill her divine role as wife and mother.

Kathryn lived a life devoted to her Savior, her family, and serving others. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in various church callings including Primary President, Relief Society President, Stake Young Women’s President, and as a Temple worker. She found great joy and purpose in her many years of temple service at both the Snowflake Temple and The Gila Valley Temple. After many years of serving in the temple, she retired---only two months before her medical condition started.

On Kathryn’s 85th birthday she woke up feeling ill. This was the beginning of her year and a half-long courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She faced her illness with faith, grace, and quiet strength, spending her final year in the care of her children, who companied her to all her appointments, treatments, and procedures— ensuring she was never alone.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ivan; her son, Richard Noble; her parents; two sisters; two brothers; and many other cherished family members who no doubt welcomed her with open arms.

She is survived by five of her children –Robert Hancock, Gregory (Karla) Hancock, Eric (Emily) Hancock, Sally Ann (Marshall) McBride, and Jared (Meghan) Hancock. Her posterity includes 43 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandson.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, October 25th at 11:00 am at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Solomonville Chapel in Solomon, AZ. The family welcomes friends and family to a visitation at McDougal Caldwell Funeral Chapel on Friday, October 24th from 5:00–7:00 pm or preceding the funeral on Saturday, October 25th from 10:00-10:45 am at the Solomonville Church Relief Society Room.

The children of Kathryn wish to express their heartfelt gratitude to all who supported, comforted, and loved their mother during her illness.

--- Jared, Sally, Eric, Greg, and Robert