The University of Utah community is saddened by the loss of Karen Haight Huntsman, businesswoman and matriarch of one of Utah’s most influential philanthropic families.
“Karen Huntsman lived a life defined by compassion, generosity, and an unwavering belief in the power of healing and hope. Alongside Jon and her beloved family, she helped build one of the great philanthropic legacies in our nation’s history,” said President Taylor Randall.
“Karen and Jon Huntsman were an unmatched pair of visionaries, equally committed to innovation, advancing research, caring for patients, and strengthening their community. Together, they dedicated their lives to defeating cancer and reminded us that mental illness touches every person and every family in some way.”
Huntsman passed away this week at age 88. Born in San Diego, California to future apostle for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, David B. Haight, Huntsman came to study at the U in 1956. During this time, she was a member of Chi Omega sorority and active in student affairs.
Huntsman was a practical woman who could not be stopped once she put her mind to something. Described by her son, Jon M. Huntsman Jr. as the “chief operating officer of the noise and the chaos” of their family, the busyness of having nine children never impacted the Huntsman couple’s commitment to making a difference.
“It was important for my mother and my father to do something bigger than themselves,” said her son David Huntsman. “They always wanted to be engaged and involved in ways that contributed to the community.”
To further this goal, the Huntsmans created a family foundation in 1988 which has grown to support cancer research; mental health treatment and research; public and higher education; and the under-served. Together the couple transformed cancer and mental health care at the U.
“We learned from our mother what strength, determination, and integrity is. She was dauntless in her pursuits and passions while still supporting her husband and our family. Her legacy runs through our family and is passed on to all her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” said her daughters, Jennifer Huntsman Parkin and Christena Huntsman Durham.
The work of treating cancer was always personal to the Huntsman family as the disease took both of Jon’s parents. In 1995, the Huntsman family donated $100 million to create the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Among many notable medical contributions, more genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at the institute than at any other cancer center in the world.
“I was blessed to have had Karen Huntsman in my life for more than 25 years. Karen was a guide and an inspiration,” said Mary Beckerle, member of the Huntsman Cancer Foundation Board of Directors, and CEO of Huntsman Cancer Institute from 2006-2025. “She lived a life of gratitude, humility, and generosity—whether selecting and placing art on the walls of Huntsman Cancer Institute with her grandchildren, cheering on our caregivers and scientists, or navigating her own cancer diagnosis with unparallelled grace. She had an eye for beauty and a full heart. She will be deeply missed and never forgotten. Her spirit will always be present at Huntsman Cancer Institute, joining that of her husband, Jon, and continuing to light the way.”
Added Bradley Cairns, CEO of Huntsman Cancer Institute: “Karen Huntsman was a woman of profound caring, compassion, and kindness – and her dedication to easing suffering has been lifesaving for so many. Her caring heart was instrumental in the creation of Huntsman Cancer Institute, and is woven into every aspect of our buildings and our culture. We will be forever grateful.”
When Jon and Karen each faced their own cancer battles, the cause became even closer. After Jon’s death in 2018, Karen directed the work of the Huntsman Foundation amid her own fight with ovarian cancer.
“Karen Huntsman’s legacy will be felt for generations,” said Bob Carter, executive vice president for health sciences and CEO of University of Utah Health. “Together, Karen and Jon Huntsman transformed cancer and mental health care through visionary investments in research, discovery, and patient care. Their impact extends across U of U Health, including the establishment of the 12 Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Chairs, which continue to advance innovation and research. We are deeply grateful for Karen’s leadership, generosity, and enduring commitment to improving lives.”
In 2019, the Huntsman family committed $150 million to establish the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, which is improving mental health resources for students and employees on the campus and throughout the community, including rural areas of the state.
“At the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, we have felt her guidance, experienced her generosity, and will continue to carry forward her spirit in the work we do every day,” said Brett Graham, HMHI president. “We honor her life with immense gratitude.”
Huntsman received an honorary degree from the U in 2022 for her deep commitment to improving the lives all Utahns. She served on several local boards of directors and received numerous awards, including two other honorary doctorates. Their nine children—and 56 grandchildren—include a former governor and ambassador to China, and the leaders of the billion-dollar Huntsman Corporation and family foundations.
It would be difficult to find a Utahn who has not been personally touched by the work of the Huntsman family, a legacy that will continue for years to come, Randall said.
“The Huntsman legacy of supporting groundbreaking healthcare discoveries, compassionate patient care, and vital services for those facing life’s greatest challenges will endure through the institutions Karen and Jon built and the countless lives they touched,” he added.
“On behalf of the University of Utah, we extend our deepest condolences to the entire Huntsman family. We mourn with them and honor a remarkable woman whose legacy will forever be woven into the fabric of this university.”