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Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E Dimple Dell Road, Sandy, UT 84092Friday Jan 9, 2026: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
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Christine Cecilia Johnson DeMill: A Life of Love, Kindness, and Grace
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt and Friend, Christine Cecilia Johnson DeMill, who departed from us on December 21, 2025, at the age of 64. Christine was a cherished daughter, a loving mother and grandmother, and a treasured sister and friend. Her presence brightened the lives of all who knew her, and her memory will forever be a source of comfort and inspiration.
Early Life and Childhood
Born on March 23, 1961, in Great Falls, Montana, to Richard LeRoy Johnson and LaVerne Marie Stratman, Christine was the second of four children. Growing up in Shelby, Montana, she developed a lifelong love for horses and barrel racing and her time spent with her best friends on the Russell Farm and Glacier National Park was where she was happiest. She attended Shelby High School, where she excelled academically and participated in drill team.
A Heart Full of Love
Christine's greatest joy was her family. Her first child Aaron Button was born in Helena, Montana, on January 11, 1982. Christine moved to Utah in 1983 following her beloved mother who was transferred by US West. Christine met and married Gary Stockmoe on May 25, 1986, and together they adopted her second child Justine at birth on April 16, 1990. She married her best friend, Ron DeMill, on June 6, 1996, (later divorced) and together they built a beautiful home filled with laughter and unconditional love. She was a dedicated and nurturing mother to numerous foster children, Amber, Kristy, Destiny, Latika, Jessica, Josh, Brandy, Sharon, Rico and baby Mathew.She instilled in them the importance of loyalty, love and perseverance and her support was the foundation upon which their lives were built. Christine, later in life, adopted two additional children, Jamison and Deacon (brothers) who were the focus of her life. The boys gave her determination to fight several serious medical issues over the last decade.
For her siblings, Christine was a steady beacon of warmth and unwavering friendship. She was the glue that held the family together. As an aunt she was a safe harbor. She treasured her nieces and nephews, all 10 of them. She had a very special connection with her niece Leslie, treating her more like a daughter and best friend than niece. We will deeply miss her voice of reason, her protective nature, the sound of her laugh, the smell of her perfume, late-night gossip sessions, her wise advice, her deep compassion and her guidance in our lives.
Career and Community
Christine found a career that fit her personality perfectly and dedicated many years to her work as an office manager at Hillcrest Care Center in Sandy, Utah, where her fierce loyalty to the residents and staff was valued by her colleagues and clients alike. Christine spent her life making the lives of others better each and every day. So many people learned how to be compassionate and caring people by following her example. Beyond her career, she was an active and contributing member of her community. She never left a stray cat or dog to fend for themselves, and filled her home with many companion pets with whom she is now reunited. Her commitment to protecting the defenseless, whether animal or human, reflected her belief in making the world a better place, one kind gesture at a time.
Her Beautiful Legacy
Christine had an elegant spirit and a remarkable capacity for empathy. She found beauty in the simple things: a perfectly brewed cup of coffee, the first bloom of spring, the sound of her children playing, her love of all things Victorian. Christine was an example of Christianity in every way, nonjudgmental with the ability to find something to love about every person she met. Her kindness was legendary; she never hesitated to offer a helping hand or a listening ear. She leaves behind a legacy of grace, resilience, and a deep, abiding love that will continue to shape the lives of her family and friends.
Christine is survived by her loving children Aaron Button, Justine DeMill, Jamison DeMill and Deacon DeMill, her grandchildren Ellyjah Aguilar-DeMill and Donovan Pugeau, her mother LaVerne Parker, her siblings Brian Johnson, Doreen DeMill (Kent), and Jacqueline Olson (Reo), and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss her dearly. She is preceded in death by her father Richard Johnson, brother Richard “Ricky” Johnson, nephew Jeremy DeMill, father-in-law Mark DeMill and all four grandparents, Joseph and Cecilia Stratman and Roy and Anna Johnson. She is also preceded in death by Babe, Justice, Chloe, Alaina, and many other pets.
A Message from Her Son:
She was a mother who gave everything she had to her family and to anyone else who needed her, often putting her own comfort and dreams aside without hesitation. Her willingness to help others came naturally, whether it was offering her time, her strength, or simply her presence, and that same generosity shaped our home. Some of the most meaningful moments came during the trips we took to Montana each year, when we would see family and reconnect with the people who meant the most to her. Visiting her favorite place, Glacier National Park, brought out a quiet peace and joy in her that stayed with all of us. Surrounded by family, mountains, and open skies, she was most selfless, loving, and deeply rooted in connection, leaving us with memories that reflect not just where we went, but who she was. She will be missed but not forgotten. I know she will continue to guide each of us every day and night.
A Message from Her Daughter:
What can I even say about my mommy? She was my everything — my superhero, my safe place. Her heart was pure gold and it shone in everything she did. She was my angel on earth, the most loving mother anyone could ask for; no one will ever compare. She never once made me feel different or unloved — she reminded me how special our bond was, and I carried that truth with me every day. I don’t know how to say goodbye to the person who always had my back and stood by my side. I wish I could tell her again that she was beautiful, inside and out. I wish for more time to hold her hand and say “I love you.” She is the reason I am the mother I am today. I love you, Mommy.
A viewing service to celebrate Christine’s life will be held at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E Dimple Dell Road (10600 S), Sandy, UT 84092 on January 9, 2025, from 6 pm to 9 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to aid her children in covering the cost of her service and the financial challenges that lay ahead to Reo Olson via venmo @Reo-Olson-1.
May her soul find eternal rest, and may we continue to honor her memory by embodying the compassion and joy she brought into our lives.
Guestbook/Condolences
My sweet, beautiful, and compassionate aunt was a true angel on Earth; a woman whose life is a living testament to her unwavering faith and boundless compassion. Her actions were always guided by a deep, Christ-like love that expects nothing in return. To have been in her presence is to feel seen and cared for. She possesses a rare, sanctified kindness that turns every conversation with her into a blessing and every challenge into an opportunity for learning and hope.
As a devout Catholic, she was a devoted servant of God. Chris lived a life that was a profound testament to the power of compassion and faith. She walked with an unwavering trust in God’s plan, never fearing death, and viewing every child as a precious gift from above.
Aunt "Crissy's" heart was a sanctuary for dozens of children whom she welcomed through foster care, offering them not just a safe home, but the deep, understanding love and nurturing guidance they needed.
~With your servant’s heart, you modeled the kindness of Christ, teaching dozens of children who passed through your doors the importance of love, service, faith, and hope.
Though you have now entered into the presence of your Lord, your legacy lives on in the countless lives and hearts you have touched and the families you helped build through your selfless devotion.
I will forever miss our nightly phone calls, your advice, memories, recipes, and your rants about politics. You now rest in eternal peace, having truly "fought the good fight" and "kept the faith". I'll love you forever and think of you every time I say Cecilia's name. 💜💜💜
My Dear Sister,
I never could have imagined how much I would miss you. Your quiet presence always there ... no doubt you would have opened your heart and home in support of me had I ever needed it. It feels like I have lost a physical part of me. You took a piece of me with you when you left. I feel lost without the steady unconditional love you gave so freely. I will work hard every day to carry on that unconditional love to those you loved the most. I will support your children through this terrible transition they must make. I will be there to love them, celebrate them and keep your memory alive with them. Forgive me, sister, for my shortcomings. I thought we would have more time. I love you so much, my big sister who mothered me when our own mother couldn't. It is likely that I would never have had a bath, brushed my teeth or eaten a solid meal if it hadn't been for you. More than anything, I don't think I would have learned how NOT to take for granted the people I love You taught me this, and with every passing day of missing you - I am learning this more and more.
I love you
Jackie
Words cannot express the sadness I feel in my heart for my dear friend Christine, although in a better place where she is not suffering anymore. I want to be selfish and have her here with us. We journeyed through many years as coworkers, friends and most of all as family. We laughed so hard our ribs ached, we ate so much our bellies ached and cried alot together. You were a shoulder to lean on, a ear for listening and a quiet silent moment. I will forever miss all those times together drinking coffee on the porch or designing flowers for a wedding. You will always have a special place in my heart and I will never forget the special moments we shared. Give Kirk a huge hug and tell him I love him dearly. I miss you Chris. Love with all my heart. Lee
Christine was an amazing woman and one of the kindest people I have ever met. She was a great friend to me and helped me when I needed it and I will be forever grateful. I will never forget her kindness and love she showed to everyone she came in contact with. She was one of God's angels here on earth.
I met Christine in June of 1990 when she hired me at Hillcrest Care Center. I remember immediately feeling at ease with her and hoping to get hired so I could work with her. Christine was patient and took her time and answered all my questions. I thought to myself, she won't hire me, I have no experience. She took a chance and hired me. I was ecstatic because I so wanted to work for her. With Christine, you were her equal. She valued her work and everyone she hired. She made it easy to want to do a good job. She willingly shared her talents and knowledge and celebrated your wins with you. To my benefit it wasn't long before we became friends. You couldn't ask for a better friend. Christine listened with her entire being, openly and without judgement. I loved our visits together. We laughed, we joked, we cried, we shared and boy was I ever so blessed. Christine loved holidays and any opportunity to celebrate. We were always a part of any celebration, a baby shower, birthday, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, you name it. Christine always welcomed us. Her true beauty was she didn't need an event to celebrate because anytime you visited her, she always celebrated you. Christine loved with her whole being. When you were with her, you were important, you were heard, you mattered, you were valued. Even when she didn't feel well, Christine always put you first. Even though we went years between seeing each other, Christine treated me no differently. Christine was always the first to reach out.
Her positivity was sweet, her smile and laughter infectious, her love for all creatures endless and her faith and trust, untouchable.
It is with sadness that I say goodbye to my best friend my sister.
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with me, I will treasure you forever and with each blue sky I will remember the true beauty in yours.
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. She was such a sweet lady. I worked with her at Hillcrest. I am deeply saddened that I can not make it to the celebration of life on Friday night. My prayers and heart go out to all she loved and loved her. She was a great example of love unconditionally. She loved everyone she knew. She taught me a lot at Hillcrest and will be missed. My deepest sympathy to her family.
Just wanted you to know we care, we’re here, we're so sorry for your loss and send our condolences to you and Christine's whole family and all friends. We're watching on zoom right now. Love and Aloha from Mara and me.
My aunt was like a mom to me. I'm her other beautiful girl, with my sister Justine