Renee Canals

Renee Gadea Canals peacefully passed away on September 2, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was 92 years old at the time of her death.

Renee was born March 23, 1934, and raised in Montevideo, Uruguay. She married her eternal companion, Walter Canals, in 1952. Together, they immigrated to Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1960, with their two young children.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, and son, Jorge. She is survived by their daughter, Martha C. Kelly (Dennis), and their descendants, along with their son’s descendants, which number five grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Omar Canals (Beatriz), as well as nieces and nephews.

She enjoyed a rich and rewarding professional life. She retired from the personnel management department of the United States Department of the Interior. Prior to that, she was the Director of the medical records departments at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, as well as private hospitals in the Salt Lake City area. She graduated from Westminster College with a Bachelor’s degree, with honors, in 1979.

Renee was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and, at the time of her death, was a member of the Sharon Springs Ward in Cumming, Georgia. She had a rich history of serving our Savior and members of her faith throughout her life, including serving in her local Ward and Stake units as a teacher and organizational leader, as well as serving as a member of the worldwide board of The Young Women’s organization for many years. Renee was always honored by the opportunity to serve in this important role.

Additionally, after her professional retirement, she devoted the remainder of her life to family history and research as part of her testimony of eternal families. She has now returned home to her Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ, awaiting the time of her resurrection.

Her funeral services will be held Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Larkin Sunset Garden in Sandy, Utah, at 2:00 PM, followed by her interment next to her husband. Visitation will be held prior to her funeral at 1:00 PM.