Shayla Diane Smith

Shayla Diane Smith, 44, advanced from this life on October 26, 2026, in Salt Lake City, Utah, following an acute illness.

She was born November 10, 1981, in Garberville, California, as the eleventh of twelve children. As a young girl, Shayla was once described as a “little wood nymph” as she liked to play outside in the garden moving about like a fairy. She was feminine and shy, always deep in imaginative play with her younger sister, Emily, and niece, Christie. She evoked the grace of a delicate flower, sweet and lovely, dancing about, acting out their childhood stories.

She enjoyed ballet and painting, and later as a teen, cheerleading, singing and performing in her school choirs with her sweet, clear soprano voice. She had a gift for high fashion and makeup. Artistic and even avant-garde, she styled herself as a 90s icon, to the backdrop of her favorite 90s alternative rock music. Writing poetry was also an important medium with which she expressed herself. She was a generous person and took pleasure in giving gifts to those she loved. Her mother liked having Shayla accompany her shopping because Shayla would readily give her mom permission to buy whatever she wanted for herself.

Commencing in her early adulthood and for most of her adult life, Shayla dealt with significant and challenging mental illness. She was never embarrassed nor felt shameful about this aspect of her life, but openly acknowledged it and heroically sought for relief. Her family members learned great lessons from walking alongside her in often scary and troubling circumstances. With time, and through the grace of God, she improved significantly. Not many people can claim victory over such severe mental health challenges, but Shayla can, and her family is humbled and proud of her bravery and perseverance. Over decades of struggle, her faith was an anchor to her and to her family, and because of this “the works of God” were clearly “made manifest” in her. (See John 9:3).

An important life experience for Shayla was her marriage in 2016 to Victor Gheorghe. Although ending in divorce in 2018, she was grateful she was able to experience marriage as this had been a life long hope for her.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she found

comfort and strength in the gospel of Jesus Christ all of her life. She looked forward with joy to the promise of an eternal marriage as part of her Eternal reward in heaven. Her favorite scripture was found among the promises the Savior gave to the brokenhearted in the book of Isaiah: “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3).

In 2025, Shayla moved from California to Millcreek, Utah, where she found her niche living among the senior residents at The Wellington Assisted Living community. She enjoyed her associations and having a place of her own. There she found the greatest period of contentment and prolonged mental health.

All who knew her well will miss her fun personality, sparkling laugh, childlike innocence, and guileless honesty. Although shocked and heartbroken at her unexpected passing, her family has every reason to believe she passed immediately to a glorious and joy-filled reunion with those who have gone on before her.

Shayla is survived by her mother, Donna Angeli Smith, and her siblings, Robert (Kristine), Donald, James Todd (Michelle), Charles, Jason (Cheralyn), Treva (Luis), Anjanae (Mark), Bethany (Noah), David (Carolyn), Emily (Stewart). She was preceded in death by her father, Merlin Claire Smith, and sibling Eva (formerly Adam).

Shayla’s funeral will be held, November 7, 2026, 2pm, at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, Utah, 84092. A viewing will be held prior at 1pm. Internment will follow the service at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery.

The service will be live-streamed, please click “watch services” to view.