Shirley Harwood Rooks, 86 passed peacefully on Dec 13, 2023 at her home in St George, UT

She was born Dec 9, 1937 in Salt Lake City, UT to Preston Heiner and Vera Rich. She was the oldest of six children. Her little sister Barbara, was her lifelong best friend.

 

She married Dennis Mitchell Harwood in the Salt Lake Temple on June 13, 1956. Together they raised their four children in Hunter, UT. They spent 45 years together camping, fishing, golfing and teaching their children to work hard but to play even harder. She had 2 “hole in ones” playing golf in the same year and another “hole in one” a few years later. They moved to St George just three years before Dennis died in 2002.

 

She worked at Cyprus High School in Magna Utah as the secretary in the Counseling office for 28 years until retiring in May of 1997. She loved those she worked with and especially working with the students.

She loved to entertain and throw parties, whether for her family, “club” (friends from high school) or neighbors and friends in Hunter, St George and Star Valley. She always found something to celebrate. She loved to hike, play games and stay active and did so until the last few months of her life.

 

She learned to waterski as a grandma and ride a Harley Davidson, all 5” 2’ of her, when she was 68.

She married Oran Rooks on April 12, 2008 in a ceremony that took place in the red rocks above Silver Reef in Southern UT. They spent their time between St George and Star Valley. Together they enjoyed fishing, golfing, UTVing and of course entertaining friends and family. Miraculously, he was able to keep up with her active lifestyle. He took loving care of her as her body failed her.

 

She is survived by her husband Oran D Rooks of St George UT, her four children Jeff and Janell Harwood, Susan Harwood, Dana and Martin Kinsey, Lori and David Spackman. Orans children, Pam and Jeff Shearer, Perry Rooks, Jackson Rooks, Jason and Julie Rooks, 21 grand children and 31 great grandchildren. Her siblings, Barbara and Que Curtis, Richard and Christy Heiner, Mark and Marie Heiner, Scott and Annette Heiner, Paul and Marrianne Heiner and many nieces and nephews.

 

Preceded in death by her husband Dennis Mitchell Harwood, son in law Jeffrey Ray Combs, and her parents.

She was adamant to the end…“I don’t want a funeral!”…so in keeping with her wishes there will be a Dedication of her Final Resting Place at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 17111 So 1700 W, Bluffdale, UT 84065 at Noon on Dec 29, 2023 and then we will celebrate her life with a gathering of friends and family at 1:00 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Hunter 2nd ward building at 3970 So, 5200 W, West Valley city, Ut 84120. Please come eat and mingle with her family and those that love her.