Listen to Obituary
Adria lived her life with all the grace and beauty of the ballerina she was at heart. She was kind, gentle, smart, generous, hardworking, funny, and strong—even in the worst of times. Those who met her loved her, and we who knew her best don’t know how we’ll go on without her. Her focus was never about herself. Even as a rare illness overtook her body, her main concern was always that everyone else was taken care of. We will miss our sweet Adie every day.
Adria was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1967 to Paul and Jill Seppi. She was a varsity cheerleader and dedicated student at Brighton High School, studied ballet at the University of Utah, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Throughout her life she maintained a strong appreciation for books and literature. In 1989, she married the love of her life, John Saunders, in the Salt Lake Temple. Together, they raised four beloved boys into young men who are strong, kind, hardworking, and smart, just like their mom. Adria finally got the little girl she always wanted when her first granddaughter was born a year and a half ago. Two more grandchildren are on the way; they won’t meet their sweet grandmother here, but will grow up knowing how dearly she loved them.
Over the past several years, Adria had the unique opportunity of working side by side with her father in the family business—a special father-daughter bond they both cherished. She was also a self-made artist in two disciplines that she thoroughly enjoyed: cooking and architecture. She explored the finest cooking methods and food combinations from renowned chefs around the world. And just as passionately, she was ever intrigued by the intricacies of fine homebuilding from some of the nation’s leading architects, whose design mantra aptly describes Adria’s true persona: “Simple but complex.”
Adria is survived by her husband, John, and their four sons: Everett, Jameson (Grace), Gabriel (Patricia), and Josiah (Emily); one granddaughter and two more grandchildren expected in June and July 2025; her parents, Paul and Jill Seppi; and her five siblings: David Seppi (Laurie), Jeffrey Seppi (Amber), Lori Seppi (Bart Kunz), Matthew Seppi (Katy), and Steven Seppi (Jessica).
Visitation will be on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, UT 84092. A service in her honor will be held at 11 a.m. at the same location, with graveside dedication to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Huntsman Amyloidosis Program would be appreciated.
Guestbook/Condolences
We are heartbroken for you and with you. Laurie was always telling us about Adria’s delicious food, her beautiful homes and decor, but most of all just how kind, thoughtful, and lovely she was. We are sincerely praying for your family to find peace at this difficult time. Sending our deepest sympathies and love.
My deepest condolences
I’m so sorry for your loss.💐
John - we are so saddened by the loss of sweet Adria. We will miss her dearly! We love you and your wonderful boys. May God bless you through theses very difficult times.
Paul and Jill
Out condolences with the loss of your wonderful daughter. Our thoughts and prayers to you and your extended family, during this time. Hugs to you.
Mark and Suzanne
Dear John,
Sending my love and deepest condolences to you and your family. I am praying for the comfort of the Holy Ghost to be round about you and in you. In this sorrow our Heavenly Father and Christ will be with you even though it seems like you’re walking alone.
Love,
Susan
(Lisa’s mom)
I am so heartbroken to hear of Adria's passing. We were friends in high school and I remember her as very elegant and lovely. She was always very graceful, not only in the way she danced and moved (even walked) but also in the way she communicated. I never ever heard her say anything unkind - a very unusual quality. I always thought of Adria as Brighton High's version of Audrey Hepburn.
Sending my sympathy, love and prayers for comfort and peace to her family.
Dear Aunt Jill and Uncle Paul,
We are so deeply sorry to hear of your loss. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of your family. We pray that you will have great peace and comfort at this time.
Much Love,
Kordon and Rachelle
John, it's is pretty great that Adria and you found each other in life! You both are pretty incredible! This is a hard thing to endure! You know the only person that we can lean on in times like this is the Savior himself, who is maybe far more incredible than I think we can all imagine and has far more strength and compassion than we can imagine! The Savior will help us as we lean on him and as we ask for some Heavenly help!
Time helps some for sure! Loosing a spouse early in life might be the hardest? It's hard for all of us to see past the present moments most of the time. This life is not a destination, but a journey and more like a passage way to something far greater and something far more incredible than we can see with our physical eyes! This life is very important though as we set our trajectory of where we might ultimately end up in the hereafter! All of which is far more incredible than we can imagine! If we didn't love so much, then it wouldn't hurt so much! But , loving is a really good thing to be able to experience in life! I think, When we loose a family member early in life it is a really hard thing to experience, because maybe we are not meant to be apart, but maybe we are meant to be sealed if you will to each other beyond the veil of this life. Maybe our bonds extend before and after this life! We love you John and your incredible family and we will be praying for comfort and strength for you and your wonderful family.
With Love and concern your good friend! There is still much to look forward to even in life, keep going and keep trying!
With Love,
Wayne and Lexie Funk and Family
Adria always conducted herself with a quiet grace, so sorry for your loss
Dear Paul and Jill, I would like to express my love and appreciation for the both of you. Serving in the Draper Temple baptistry over the past four years has endeared me to you, you are such faithful and devoted members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I am inspired every time I'm with you. After reading Adria's obituary my heart just broke into a thousand pieces. She was (and still is) a beautiful daughter of loving heavenly and earthly parents. What a privilege it is for your family to be able to claim Adria Kim as your child, sister, mother, wife, and friend. I'm sure she has touched the lives of so many people with love and compassion - inspiring everyone around her. When I look at the beautiful picture posted with this obituary I can see your likeness in her face, the loving, tender, and graceful person she is and will always be. Dear Paul and Jill, It is times like this when our faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is such a comfort. I testify to you that eternal families isn't just a beautiful thing we Latter-day Saints say; It is real, and the blessings of our faithful membership will bring our families together to live in celestial glory and exaltation through out the eternities will come to fruition, I know this to be true!
Dear Paul and Jill.
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your daughter. To lose a child is one of the greatest challenges in our life. We can ask time and time again why did this happen to her at such a young age with such a sweet family and why do we have to suffer these pains? We go through this life doing and saying the right things. We hope that our father in heaven is watching over us and is proud of the way we are conducting our lives. Yet when things like this come, we have to be strong to support the other members of our family And to support each other. You are blessed and will continue to be blessed by our father in heaven for the work that you do in your lives and serving others. We were told that this life would be great, but it wouldn’t be easy and once again the road has become bumpy for you, but you will get through it. Your father in heaven loves you and knows of the efforts that you are making to be faithful in this great life and in this great church. You can live with the knowledge that you will someday be back with that sweet daughter of yours And enjoy the eternities with her and her family.
We love the years that we spent with both of you in the temple. You’re not only friends to us, but your family and we have been enriched in our lives by having the opportunities you spend those days with you. May our father in heaven, continually bless and keep you and help you get through this trying time. We love you both so very much.
Prayers and love, Brent and Sharene.
Jill and Paul,
I’m so sorry to hear the passing of your sweet daughter. You both of you are so dear to me.and my heart and prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time.
Much love, Diane
Jill and Paul,
I’m so sorry to hear the passing of your sweet daughter. You both of you are so dear to me.and my heart and prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time.
Much love, Diane
John and boys, we are so saddened to hear of Adria’s unexpected passing. She was such a sweet and talented mother and wife. We send our love and prayers to you all ❤️🩹
Dear John and family,
There are no words that can truly express my feelings at this time. They don't suffice. They cannot offer what is needed at this time. It seems that life and all that it entails pulls us apart, not in a bad way, it just does. Then death does the same. My memories of Adria are that of a kind, gentle, soul, beautiful all around if you will. I am saddened at her passing but know that her spirit, her influence, her guiding light, her impact, will live on, until you meet again. It will live on through you as well, it will be with you always, she will be with you always, and I know that will bring you solace and inspiration, and comfort. She will abide with you. Please know that even as life can pull people apart, it is ironic that passing from this life, even death, can bring people together, and sometimes even make families closer still. There are collateral blessings that can be found in times like these. Yes, we would want the blessings of seeing Adria on a daily basis, each morning, every evening, etc. I know that you will still see her and feel her, always. Look for the collateral blessings and embrace them. Know that you are loved by our Father in Heaven and our Savior, and by me, and so many others. May you find peace and comfort at this time.
With all my Love. Your friend!
Jeff Hadlock
We are so very sorry for your loss John. Sending love to you and your boys.
My heart breaks for your loss . Adria was such a sweet person and was kind to me when we moved to Utah. I am glad we were friends. She made moving in high school a bit easier
I hope sweet memories of her can fill all of your hearts
Love Jill Strong Richens
John's brother told me about his sweet wife passing away. She was a few years older than me and we never really interacted much. But after my mission John and Adria were starting up a philanthropic project to help the poor in Mexico and me and Mike Fairborn sat in the back of their car on the way up to the forest area near Park City and listen to their sales pitch to serve those less fortunate. John was always a nice guy and help me learn computer stuff and with the small amount of interaction with his wife I did not know her extremely well but I felt like I was around an angel when she was there. The whole seppi family is so kind and sweet and gentle and easy going and totally awesome. I'd like to share memories about David and Dad Paul before he was a bishop etc but I will keep this to my feelings towards Adria the birthday girl. Returning to the spirit world as a new birthday type of thing in a way if something to celebrate. The separation of a few spiritual microseconds of John and Adria make me sad but nothing much has really changed in reality. She's just a lot lighter as a pure spirit and John's just a heavier fleshy guy for a while longer.
. From what I interacted with Adria she was an angel. And Like A Mother Teresa spirit. I would love to spend a few minutes in her presence now and just absorb the love of Jesus that she is filled with. Stupid of me to not do it earlier. In my opinion she is a prophetess and full of love and compassion for all people. From time to time you hear about people who have passed on visiting their loved ones and I will pray that God will get that opportunity to John for a little visit. In fact I really want that to occur and will fast and pray for a short little reunion one of these days. It does happen so why not for John and Adria
Again this Seppi family so awesome and cool and pleasant and have open-minded sense of humorous. A lot like Jesus I think. It's weird to say that I love John's wife but I do in a Jesus like spiritual way as my sister. Adria: the goddess of water, we love you.
Adria: I just feel so much sweet pure love flowing from you from you for the past few days and sad I did not hear about your spiritual birth back home until later. But I really regret not getting to know you and talking about the unknowable things with you back in the 28th ward. I would love to hear your feelings and opinions on life and all the energy and knowledge you have obtained from your open minded and open hearted studying and pondering things that most people don't even realize exists and some rare times I bet you learned a few mysteries of life that not many people know. I hope you read this and feel my love for you as a true sister. And after you visit John one of these days maybe you can tell John some of the cool things you now know and remember. And tell John to share them with me please. Is sounds strange to most people but things happen that are pretty cool between mortals like John and spirits like you. I never spent much time talking with you but dang, I just really feel your spiritual love stronger than from anyone else I've ever experienced and alot like Jesus of Nazareth and his beautiful Earthly mother Mary. You and John are just like really special kids of our Creator. And I bet you both even were mischievous every once in a while. And I think God gets alot more enjoyment from seeing his kids getting into trouble and learning; more pure joy seeing his pure loving kids getting into trouble sometimes would give God a lot more entertainment and amusement and happy to see his kids on Earth do there own things that bring fun and interesting experiences that they like. Nothing more boring for God that a perfect kid except maybe Jesus. And he being half mortal probably did some mischievous things from time to time. I don't logical see how a half imperfect mortal can be 100% sinless unless we just don't really know what sin is. Too many things people judge as sin and just experiences God has blessed us with in my opinion, but then again I don't know and be sure to tell John some of the mysteries of the gospel we are not supposed to study. (but i do anyway since I'm a rebel and a stoic at least i try to be.) And Its pretty cool how we can do things that are not good and then just have them erased by Jesus's magic superpowers. I like that plan. Like a video game and you can crash as many times as it takes until you get the top score.
Sorry for the long weird way of expressing my love but I am so thankful for being able to feel pure love from Adria. I bet she just loves everyone and I'm not just a rarity. I bet many people can feel her love energy all over the world.
Men like me don't cry even if we want to to release stress, but your love brought tears of joy and excitement and anticipation for the day I transition and maybe get a another chance to be in the same study group. John and you can be our teachers and give our group a nickname of the 28th and a half ward. And do some catch and release elk hunting in the spirit forests. Assuming John will allow a rebel to be in his study group.
With Love, peace, joy, bliss, comfort and perfect peace of being back home and feeling the perfect feeling of understanding so many new and cool facts and things about life that you always loved to explore.
And John, thanks for getting me interested in computers and stuff like wires and helping me repair my joystick and solder the wires correctly and illegal copying of floppy apple II 5.25 inch disk games in the green screen days.