Michelle Gillette Woods

Michelle Gillette Woods, beloved wife, mother, “Grandma Lolly”, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend passed away peacefully on July 2, 2025 after an extended courageous battle with a brain tumor. Michelle was a light to this world and spread her zest for life and love everywhere she went.

Michelle was born on May 20, 1968 to David and Doris Gillette. She grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah where she graduated from East High School and The University of Utah. She loved everything about her mission in Paris, France, especially the French people, language and pâtisseries. Michelle was sealed for eternity to the love of her life and best friend, Todd Woods, on September 20, 1991 in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived in Salt Lake City, Utah, Anthem, Arizona and Herriman, Utah where they spent the last 11 years of her life.

Michelle led an active lifestyle and enjoyed skiing at Snowbird, boating at Bear Lake, scuba diving all over the world, bungee-jumping over the Kuwaroo River in New Zealand and travelling, especially with her sweetheart to her beloved Paris.

As a young girl, Michelle learned sewing from her mother and won the National 4-H Fashion Design award, for which she was presented with a silver platter from President Ronald Reagan. Her love of sewing and crafts continued throughout her life and became a means of service to others. She was never satisfied to make only one of any project and made multiple crafts to share with cousins, grandchildren and friends. She spent many hours volunteering with the service organization “Stitching Hearts” to make items for those in need. She was a proud member of Daughters of the American Revolution, and loved helping her mother with projects for the DAR.

Michelle’s love of service was not limited to her sewing and crafting talents. She also loved her time serving in the Daybreak Temple over the last 10 years. As a volunteer Mountain Host at Snowbird ski resort, she spread her light to people from all over the world and her fellow “hosties”.

When Michelle did something she went all in. In Anthem she was a community gatherer and created many opportunities there for the youth and adults. When they moved in, Anthem was a new community. Michelle started Anthem’s Got Talent, daddy-daughter dances, mother-son flag football, and was PTA President which helped bring the community together. She loved being involved in her children' s lives.

Michelle was the starring host in the show Life Designs TV, which included episodes about making slime with Josh, making face-paint, Halloween dry-ice ideas, and alien hunting with all of her children. She also started a YouTube channel to share her crafting and sewing ideas.

Michelle and Todd shared a truly beautiful love story. They were partners in every sense, sharing hobbies and lots of laughter and always had fun whenever they were together. As much as anything, Michelle cherished her time alone with Todd. “Grandma Lolly” and “Pops” doted on their 8 grandsons, and Michelle brought them her whole heart every time she saw them. Being with them brought her true joy. Michelle’s love for her children and each of her children’s spouses was boundless and unwavering. Michelle was the heart of her tightly knit extended family. She enjoyed being with aunts, uncles and cousins, and her contagious laugh and magnetic spirit brought everyone closer together.

Michelle is survived by her mother Doris Gillette; husband Todd, and their children Jordan Todd (Laurel) Woods, Jasmine Michelle (Peter) Lambson, Kiara Lily (Brandon) Morley, Kalia Rose (Riley) Meng and Joshua Trapper Gillette (Alena) Woods; eight beloved grandsons, Archer and Oakley Woods, Axel and Jasper Lambson, Luka, Beckham, and Benson Morley, and Milo Meng; and siblings Steven (Jenny) Gillette, Heather (Kent) Hansen and Derek Gillette; nieces, nephews, cousins and many cherished friends. She was preceded in death by her father David Gillette and her sister Jennifer Gillette Cusick.

A viewing will be held at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT, on Friday July 11, 2025 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held at the Herriman Mountain View Stake Center, 14068 South Rosecrest Road, Herriman, UT on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. with a viewing from 1:00 - 2:10 p.m. Interment will take place at the Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery following the services. For those unable to attend the service in person, you may watch the Zoom recording of the service. Please click the Watch Service button above.

A Celebration of Life open house with light refreshments will be held in Anthem, AZ on August 2, 2025 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Anthem building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 2503 W. Anthem Way Anthem, AZ.