We are heartbroken to share the passing of our sweet mother, Sharon West, on July 15, 2024, at the age of 82.

It started when our energetic, strong mother, who was full of life and expected to live forever, discovered a tiny bump on her nose. This put her on a journey of needing several surgeries, followed by difficult recoveries. Mom was so strong and fought with everything she had, but on July 10th, she went to her daughter’s home on hospice care, passing away 5 days later due to natural causes. We were strengthened as we witnessed the peace and comfort that came over her. We could feel the excitement our dad must have been feeling as he waited to embrace his best friend. We rejoice knowing they are together again and will be watching over us.

We are honored and will forever cherish the one-on-one time we shared, witnessing tender and sacred moments with her these past 5 months as she needed extra care.

Sharon was born to Walter and Florence Swain on January 4, 1942, in Bennion, Utah. She was the oldest of five children and loved her siblings and parents. She often spoke of her happy childhood.

At the young age of 17, Sharon met the love of her life, James (Jim) West. They were married in the Salt Lake LDS temple on November 18, 1959, where they began their forever family. They were married 61 years before his passing in October 2020. She missed him dearly and continued to text his phone, giving him updates on our family and asking him to watch over us.

Jim and Sharon had five children. James Scott (Michelle), Robyn Wahlen, April Ballou (James), Kris (Jamie), and Julie Hunt (Ryan). They had 27 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. Of all the joys in life, Family was their greatest joy, and they spent their entire lives cherishing us and making sure we knew how much we were loved

Mom was a stay-at-home mom and was a perfect example in every way. Our home was a fun and happy place. She taught us many great things, including to love one another and to love our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His gospel. She loved the scriptures and the church hymns and studied both as part of her daily scripture study. Her personal set of scriptures and hymn books are treasured possessions, as every inch is covered with her testimony and insights. She taught us to work hard, serve others, and make good choices. We were often reminded, “We don’t say bad words!”

Mom’s prayers were the best! She prayed every day, asking in detail for our Heavenly Father to watch over each of her family members. Her prayers gave us great comfort, and we learned the power of prayer from her example.

She was actively involved in her children's and grandchildren’s lives. We will miss seeing her at the games, performances, and many events in her family’s lives. We will miss getting her thoughtful gifts, letters, and texts of love and encouragement.

Mom was a selfless woman who gave to everyone. She often said, “What’s mine is yours!” Mom had many talents, including decorating her beautiful home. She loved giving tours of her home; her themed rooms were iconic. Mom could also creatively whip out a poem for any occasion. She hosted the best holiday parties, baby showers, and bridal showers, never missing a detail. She went “all out,” including the outfits she wore to the parties. There was always an abundance of food, games (with prizes for all), and endless fun. We will carry on the tradition of guessing how many candies are in the jar, the mystery word, and hoping our plate has the winning sticker on the bottom.

Mom strived to have joy and gratitude in her heart every day. She loved all things pink, music, her car, the sound of crickets, birds, sunshine, and rainbows. Her favorite song was Somewhere Over the Rainbow. There was a beautiful double rainbow the day she passed.

Mom was an incredible friend, and although she claimed to be “painfully shy,” she had many friends her entire life. From her childhood school friends, her lifelong friends from the Murray neighborhood, her friends in her current ward and neighborhood, to the countless friends she met through her community and church service, she was loved by all. She often talked of her “really good friends.” (We teased her that not everyone can be your really good friend.) She always prayed for them and would drop by their home with a small gift, just to let them know she was thinking of them. Even as she was feeling so ill, she still had us drive her around so she could drop off a treat to someone in need.

Mom was the perfect example of how to love and serve in a Christlike way. She spent years serving at the Beehive House, the Governor’s Mansion, the Lion House, the Church Museum, and the Christmas Box House, just to name a few. She was a proud member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers and spent years serving in this organization. Together with our dad, they served many years at the LDS conference center. Their most recent calling was serving in the Draper Temple baptistry together. When it was too difficult to fulfill her shift, she would ask us to drive her by the temple so she could run in and say hello to her “really good friends.”

Mom was an amazing woman and more than our mother - our friend too. Although we still need her and wish we could call her or feel her warm embrace, we’re grateful to know we will see her again. We will strive daily to “be a little more like Sharon.”

Sharon was preceded in death by her husband Jim, her father and mother, and her younger sister Joanne. She is survived by her sister Sue, her brothers Bob and Jeff, her five children and their spouses, and her legacy of extended family. We will miss her every day, but take comfort in knowing she will be watching over us.

A few years ago, she wrote her own obituary. It sums Mom up perfectly.

If you’re reading this,

I must have died.

I hope I went fast,

And no one cried.

I’m pretty old

I’ve had a good life.

I had good kids

And I was a great wife.

(I don’t really think I was a good wife, it just rhymed.)

I did my best

My time was well spent.

When I made mistakes,

I tried to repent.

Be honest and kind

And your prayers don’t forget.

If you quarrel or fight,

I’ll be very upset.

I will miss you all

And will save you a place.

But don’t come too soon,

It isn’t a race.

Be happy and grateful

For blessings so true.

Look up towards heaven,

That’s me watching you.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 5th, at 11:00 AM at the South Mountain 8th Ward building. 1911 East Gray Fox Drive Draper, UT 84020. With a Viewing prior at 9:30 AM. Interment will follow at the Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park. 17111 1700 W. Bluffdale, UT 84065