Sherri LaRue Defa

1962 ~ 2018

Our sweet Sherri LaRue (McEwan) Defa, 55, passed away peacefully in her home on May 17, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah after a long battle with colon cancer.

Sherri was born on December 27, 1962 in Salt Lake City to Grant McEwan and Nina Gregg and stepfather Theron Gregg. She had six siblings; Greg McEwan, Kent McEwan, Perry McEwan, Chad McEwan, Christine Gregg and Joey Gregg. She attended West High School where she enjoyed many activities, including being involved with the ski team.

Early on, she met and married Kip Defa who passed away in January 2000. They raised three children, Chelsie LaRue (Defa) Christensen, Clint Kip Defa and Rikie Lee Gregg.

Later in life, Sherri met her significant other Tony Riney, who had five children; Bryce Moyes, Jamie (Moyes) Espinoza, Tony Riney III, Monique (Riney) Dacumos and Toemesh Riney.

Sherri absolutely loved camping, where the family spent every summer in South Willow, Utah. She made many trips with friends and family to Las Vegas to support her favorite NASCAR driver, Carl Edwards. She spent many long hours keeping her yard and garden up to par and loved seeing her friends and family enjoy the salsa afterwards.

Over twenty years ago, Sherri started working for Larry H. Miller at the Delta Center (which is now known as Vivint Smart Home Arena) and Smith's Ball Park. She played a major roll in managing custodial duties for Jazz games, Bees games, concerts and many other entertainment events. She was extremely valued by her employees and developed a family of workers who appreciated her work ethic and values, because she would always make sure her work force was taken care of.

Sherri has touched so many lives, not just in her family, but anyone she came in contact with. She loved supporting all her kids whether it be dance, baseball, basketball or any other activity they participated in.

She battled cancer to the end and it was amazing to see what strength and will she had to get through it all. Despite everything she was going through, she never wanted anyone to show remorse or get down about her situation. She kept a care free attitude and always wanted the people around her to just enjoy the time spent and life as she was.

She was preceded in death by her father and two brothers and survived by her mother, three brothers, her sister, significant other, eight children and fourteen grandchildren.

A visitation for friends and family will be held Friday May 25, 2018 from 1-4 PM at Larkin Mortuary at 260 E. South Temple SLC, UT.