August 24, 1942 — April 6, 2916
Beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother Sheila Gardner Rose left this earth Wednesday, April 6, 2016, after a lengthy battle with dementia. To all who had the joy of having Sheila in their lives, her passing is a great loss.
Sheila was born August 24, 1942, to Kumen and Naida Gardner in Cedar City, Utah. From the very beginning Sheila was full of life and not a believer in all things traditional. She was never one to believe that her role was to be subservient simply because she was a woman. As a result, she was always working to improve herself both intellectually and physically. Her joy of learning led her to study anthropology, eventually earning a Master’s Degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1977. Sheila was also devoted to physical health as she ran five to ten miles a day, and biked just as many until just a few years ago.
Sheila married Gerald C. Wood, and they were later sealed in the St. George Temple. She and Jerry had four children together. They later divorced. Sheila worked hard to raise and provide as a legal secretary. In 1984 she was chosen to be the Trial Court Executive in the fifth district. She served in that role until the late eighties when she went to work for the Juvenile Court as a probation officer. Her excellence in that role is demonstrated by the numerous testimonials, including letters to the editor, from former probationers testifying to the positive impact she made in their lives.
Sheila had a testimony of Jesus Christ and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where she served in several positions throughout her lifetime.
She is survived by her children: Lee (Linda) Wood of Cedar City, Utah; Heidi (Les) White of Cedar City, Utah; Stephanie (Craig) Davidson of Heber City, Utah; and Travis Wood of Salt Lake City, Utah; her brothers: Dayne (Elizabeth) Gardner of Cedar City, Utah; Eric (Marion) Gardner of Holiday, Utah; Paul (Barbara) Gardner of Plantersville, Texas; and Neil (Anne Marie) Gardner of Lahaina, Hawaii; 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Sheila is preceded in death by her parents Kumen and Naida Gardner.
Funeral Services
- Funeral service will be held Wednesday, April 13, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the Cedar West Stake Center, 725 S. 1100 West, Cedar City, Utah.
- A viewing will be held Tuesday evening, April 12, 2016, from 6-8 p.m. at Southern Utah Mortuary, 190 N. 300 West, Cedar City, Utah.
- A viewing will also be held Wednesday morning, April 13, 2016, at the Stake Center from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
- Interment will be in the Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary.
Online condolences can be made atwww.sumortuary.com.