Shirley Martindale

Shirley Martindale, 83, of Salt Lake City, Utah, passed away on June 13, 2024, surrounded by her family and loved ones.

Shirley was born on November 12, 1940, in Brigham City, Utah, and grew up in Corrine, Utah. She lost her mother and brother at age 16 in a car accident and suffered from multiple types of abuse shortly thereafter, of which she resiliently overcame. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 13 and successfully managed her diabetes for over 70 years. One of her most common sayings was: “If I can’t have sugar, I’m going to have salt.” And that she did. She married Rex Martindale on July 17, 1964, and they had two children; Kevin, who died in infancy, and Gaylin.

She was a passionate tournament director for Utah Youth Soccer Association for many years and loved every minute of it. She was a hard worker and worked 2-3 jobs for most of her life until she retired in 2010. She was known to have a plain-spoken personality and was often lectured ‘to be nice’ by her daughter, Gaylin, before social functions and going through airport security. She was a homebody but reluctantly well-traveled having visited Costa Rica, Alaska, Hawaii, Florida, and California in the past 5 years, only appreciating it after she got home. She also loved getting a soda from Swig with Gaylin, which she asked for on her deathbed many times.

But above all that, she cherished her grandchildren the most. Most people only witnessed her hard exterior, but her grandchildren were able to see the fun and loving side of her. Not for lack of trying on Gaylin’s part, her grandchildren were the only ones that had any persuasion. After years of tending grandchildren, she happily tended her great granddog Milo, who benefited from the many trips to Swig and of whom she said “is a good dog but watches too much tv."

Shirley is survived by her sister Lois (Les), brother Russell, daughter Gaylin, Corey (Jay), her grandchildren: Veronica (Lance), Cordell (Maddie), Kassandra (Mason), and Preston, as well as several chosen family members and lots of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son Kevin, husband Rex, brother Rodney, and sister-in-law Julie.

The viewing will be held at 9:00 am on Thursday, June 20, 2024, followed by a graveside service at 11:00 am at Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy (1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, UT 84092). The family wishes to thank friends and family for their support and care during Shirley’s last days.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you enjoy a Swig in Shirley’s memory.