Sharon Gay Utley Cohee's Obituary
Sharon Gay Utley Cohee was born on January 12th, 1958 in Salt Lake City Utah to Rex Earl Utley and Helen Lucille Davis Utley, who proceeded her in death. She married Donald Ray Cohee on June 9th, 1973 and became the mother of Patrice Deann Cohee and Joseph Ray Cohee. Don and Sharon later divorced, and Sharon continued to raise her children as a single mother.
Sharon instilled in her two children a drive for resilience, strength, and dedication in everything they faced. Sharon loved to roller skate and swim and was a friend to everyone. Sharon loved her “programs” on tv and she stayed up late into the evening watching those and scary movies. She loved Monk and frequently watched crime dramas. She loved children and teaching, which lead her to her career with Salt Lake County as a pre-school/daycare teacher.
Sharon’s greatest accomplishment is her grandchildren. She loved them fiercely and would defend them over anyone. She always encouraged them to live life to the fullest. Her granddaughter Cheyanne shared that Grandma was there for us no matter what time of day or night, no matter the situation. She was there with open arms and a listening ear. With a big hug and encouraging smile. When her grandchildren would walk in the door, her eyes would light up and the world was a much brighter place. She frequently had a snack, a drink, a card with money, or a bag of goodies when any of them would visit. She wanted to know all about her grandkid’s day, and frequently friend requested their friends on social media so she could make sure that they too knew they were loved. She was her grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader and always made sure they knew they did not have to face a single battle alone. Sharon never liked to see the grandkids upset so she would always say or do something to make them smile or laugh. “She gave the best hugs, and the hugs were always followed with the most loving “I love you”.
In 2008, Sharon developed an Interstitial lung disease called Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Her lungs started to crystalize and harden and made it harder and harder for her to take in a deep breath, this resulted in being placed on oxygen therapy which she lived with from that moment on. Being diagnosed with this disease forced her into early retirement from her teaching career. Sharon was limited in her ability to “go and do” and over time she was unable to go to her grandchildren’s football games, dance programs, or other activities with friends and family members. For special occasions she knew she would need to work herself up to get ready to go out, she would spend the whole week prior preparing, and then after the event, would be so exhausted and weak. Her last event out was for her daughter’s wedding, which was so special to her.
In November of 2018 Sharon had a fall in her home. Her bones were so brittle that her prosthetic knee broke free from her leg bone and she had to have reconstructive surgery. Due to her lung disease she was unable to be put under sedation. We spent a lot of time the next few months going back and forth from different care facilities and hospitals to assist her in her recovery. The goal was to get her back to her home. It was hard to find the right care center due to all of her needs; relearning how to walk, facilitating pain management especially due to arthritis in her hip and shoulders, and then her respiratory needs to be on oxygen at all times. In March of 2019 we found Woodland Park Respiratory Care Center, and moved Sharon in.
Her best friend Lisa said this about Sharon - This lady was a strong, kind, and sweet angel on this earth and now she has her wings and she will fly. We believe she can now be at every football game, every dance program, every flight hour, every graduation, every wedding, everything that her grandchildren will do and become, she will be there.
Sharon is survived by her children Patrice (Heidi) and Joe (Tiffany) and her 6 grandchildren, Cheyanne, Tristan, LJ, Kaciee, Laciee and Alayah.
We want to thank the staff at Woodland Park Respiratory Care Center for treating our Mom/Grandma/Sister/Daughter/Aunt/Friend with love and kindness in her last year of life.
We want to thank Premier Funeral Services for gently walking our family through final decisions to help us honor her wishes.
We will be hosting a celebration of the life of Sharon Cohee on Oct. 10, 2020 starting at 1:00pm at 3304 S. Newmark Drive, West Valley City, UT. 84128 and would invite you to join. A light lunch will be served. Please bring a camp chair and your mask and RSVP to Patrice at 801-518-6665.
What’s your fondest memory of Sharon?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sharon?
Share a story where Sharon's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sharon you’ll never forget.
How did Sharon make you smile?