Deborah Jean DeLaGarza Smith

Deborah Jean DeLaGarza Smith, Aged 70 years, passed away on August 20, 2023 peacefully surrounded by loved ones. Debbie was born November 24, 1952 in Orange County California to Luis and Josephine DeLaGarza.

Debbie’s early years were spent growing up in southern California where she enjoyed going to the beach, roller skating, Disneyland and dancing her heart out at concerts. Anytime she could sing and dance she did. It didn't matter where we were or what event, she enjoyed having a great time and would cut a rug. She enjoyed white water rafting and snow skiing in eastern California. She attended Santa Ana College where she enjoyed learning modern dance and even received the part playing Bernadette in The Sound of Music. After graduating nursing school from Santa Ana College, she went into a long career in nursing working in many types of facilities from burn units to rehab centers to care centers. She absolutely loved caring for her patients and made sure they were well taken care of.

She met her first husband (Tony Nelson) in California and had a daughter (Gina) and a son (Daniel). Several years later she remarried to Garrett Smith and together they had another son (Zachariah) and another daughter (Bryanna). Her children were everything to her along with her grandchildren, of course. She always said that she had four chambers in her heart and each of her children had one. She absolutely loved spending time with her children and more so her grandchildren. She lived in southern California until 1991 when the family relocated to West Jordan, Utah.

Debbie lived a full and vibrant life with more friends than you could count. She was someone that you just wanted to be around and spend time with, because of her “down to earth” and hysterical wit. Boy, she could talk! She could talk until the cows came home. She had the best stories and could make anyone feel special, like really special. Coffee was her favorite “liquid” child. She adored going out to cafes with anyone and everyone that would go with her, so they all could enjoy nice company and as many cups of coffee as possible (lots of cream and sugar).
For fun, she enjoyed many cool things like going to Wendover or Las Vegas to gamble. She enjoyed going to psychics & crystal shops. Music was also one of her many passions. She loved to travel anywhere. She really enjoyed a good adventure. Her laugh was infectious and she gave the greatest hugs. She always went out of her way for the people she loved. She would give her left and right shoe if she could. We love you Mom and Gramms! We are really going to miss you.

Debbie is preceded in death by her parents Luis and Josephine DeLaGarza. She is survived by her husband, children, siblings and many grandchildren.
Husband: Garrett Smith
Children: Gina(Kevin)Westenskow, Daniel(Bre)Smith, Zachariah(Rachel)Smith, and Bryanna
Siblings: Luis, Tommy, Renee & Cathy DeLaGarza.
Grandchildren: Jocelynn Nelson (Andre), Tristan Westenskow, Kurstin Westenskow(Jacob), Kaleb Smith, Gaby Smith, Briely Smith, Zoey Bowman. Nathaniel Groesbeck, Donivan Groesbeck.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, September 9th at Larkin Mortuary, 3688 West 12600 South Riverton, Utah. A viewing will be held at the mortuary Saturday morning prior to the service from 9:30AM-10:45AM.
Interment will be at the Herriman Cemetery located at 12465 South Pioneer Street (6000 West) Herriman, Utah.

For those unable to attend, services will be streamed via Zoom. Please click on the watch services link above to watch the previously held funeral services.