Donna Scharffs Waters Hunt's Obituary
Our beloved Queen Bee, Donna Scharffs Waters Hunt, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2025 at the age of 88. She was encircled by loved ones who held a constant vigil for her in the days preceding her death.
Donna was born the second of 4 children to Fritz and Louise Scharffs in Salt Lake City, UT on July 17, 1936. Her parents emigrated from Germany after World War I and later met in the Beehive State as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, as well as her sister Virginia, brothers Joseph and Gilbert, son Royd, and daughter-in-law Vicki.
Donna was proud of her German heritage and instilled that same pride within her own family through the years. Family recipes for crescent cookies, stollen, pflaumenkuchen, and rouladen were in frequent rotation and enjoyed in Donna's home by family and friends alike.
After graduating from West High School in 1955, Donna attended the University of Utah and later married Gayle Eldon Waters on May 17, 1957. Gayle tragically passed away on March 24, 1961. Widowed with three sons at the age of 24, Donna later married Gayle Dean Hunt in 1965.
In 1975, Donna started working in the Cashier's Office at The LDS Business College (Ensign College). She made fast friends with students and other members of staff over the years, meeting people from all over the world who came to study at the college. She enjoyed her time spent in the workforce and reluctantly retired in 2009 at the age of 73.
Donna cultivated many hobbies and pastimes. She loved music and starting at a young age she played both the piano and organ, following in the footsteps of her father who was a trained musician. She loved attending concerts, musicals, and other performances where her children and grandchildren showcased their own talents. Whatever the occasion, she was always there to cheer them on and share in their successes. Donna also pursued oil painting through classes at LDS Business College, often attending with a grandchild or two. Many of her paintings adorn the homes of grateful family members.
A longtime resident in the Avenues near downtown Salt Lake City, Donna could often be found in her yard above Memory Grove where she kept bees for a number of years. Donna harvested the honey gathered by her bees and sold it at local Farmers Markets under the name Wildflower Honey. Her grandchildren would often help at these markets, putting honey on Club Crackers for passing customers. She was referred to as The Honey Lady and anyone who sampled her Wildflower Honey knew why it was awarded a blue ribbon at the State Fair.
Donna was generous with so much of her time, attention, and resources. When her daughter Jennifer moved to New York, she graciously opened her home to visiting family members. Donna made a point of traveling there often with groups of grandchildren in tow. She treated them to numerous outings in The Big Apple - The Empire State Building, Yankee Stadium, Times Square, The Brooklyn Bridge, The Statue of Liberty, Christmas at Radio City Music Hall, various museums and historical sites, but most of all, MUSICALS. Donna spent many happy hours in theaters all along Broadway, seeing dozens of different shows and sharing the experience with her family. She was a true patron of the arts and made a point of attending the theater in her home state as well, but only if she could share it with someone she loved.
While Donna held many titles over the years, the most dear to her by far were Mom, Grandma, and Nonna - as she was lovingly known to her great-grandchildren. She was mother to Royd, Kevin, and Danny Waters, as well as Jennifer, Paul, Stephany, and Mary Hunt. She was grandmother to 20 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Donna cherished her family, cultivating meaningful relationships with each member and always missing them if too much time passed between visits or phone calls. Which was never long if she could help it. She was our home away from home and a soft place to land during hard times. She was truly unlike any other. We are grateful for her love and legacy and know she is with us until we can see her again.
A visitation will be held on Friday, January 17, 2025, from 7:00 - 9:00 pm in the LDS Ward Building located at 135 A Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84103.
Donna will be interred next to her husband, Gayle Eldon Waters, at a graveside dedication in the Salt Lake City Cemetery on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 11:00 am.
Finally, a special thanks to the health care workers at LDS Hospital, Intermountain Medical Center, Aspen Ridge West, Aspen Ridge Home Health & Hospice, and The Ridge Foothill for their mindful care.
Messages to the family can be posted at: www.PremierFuneral.com
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