Cheryl Hawkes Skelton

Cheryl Hawkes Skelton, cherished Mother, Grandmother, sister, daughter, and friend, passed from this Earthly life into her Heavenly home on November 5th, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Cheryl was born in Salt Lake, Utah on October 8th, 1949 to Lorin and Neva Hawkes. Cheryl spent most of her Life in Bountiful, and from an early age, she was involved with dance. She found joy in performing with many friends. She also excelled at sewing, clothing construction, shorthand, drawing, and baking. At the feet of her Grandmother and her Mother, she learned the intricacies of pattern making, altering, designing, and constructing most of the clothing, jeans, dance dresses, and wedding dresses, not only for herself, but her future family. She also filled the lives of her family and friends with cherished recipes from her mother, including Thanksgiving food, Christmas candy, French bread, cookies, and her famous sweet rolls. Devoted to her family legacy, she passed on these passions and knowledge to her daughter.

Soon after enrolling at the University of Utah, Cheryl met her eternal companion, David Milner Skelton. They were married March 14, 1969. She was devoted to him and her children throughout her life, and sacrificed things for their lives only a mother could comprehend.

From the age of 5, she began studying and playing her beloved piano. This gift and sacred talent followed her, led her, encouraged her, and brought the peace of Christ into her life. After her children were grown, she had the privilege of learning from cherished friends how to play the Organ. This new perspective on her gift expanded her view of Heaven and enlarged her capacity for joy in the gospel. She continued to bless her family, friends, and neighbors with these gifts to the very end of her mortal existence.

Cheryl will be remembered as a gentle, humble, generous, powerful Woman of God; filled with grace, and an unflinching faith in her Savior Jesus Christ. Her testimony never faltered, and her love for His Gospel grew increasingly stronger, every day she was on this Earth. Her testimony built her children and friends. Despite adversities and pain later in her life, she continued to demonstrate courage as she repeatedly moved through hardships with grace and determination. To know and love her was to know the love of our Heavenly Mother and Father.

Cheryl was happiest when she was with her family. Holding her grandbabies brought her a special kind of joy, and nothing made her light up quite like a new baby. Towards the end of her life, grandchildren would often gather around her for special treats, and to tell her stories. Her visits with them filled her with delight. With age comes new difficulties in communicating, exceptional pain, and unfamiliar tribulation, but the love she exuded for her children and grandchildren was constant, immeasurable, and beyond our Earthly comprehension.

She took great pride in her children, and was always a safe place for them to land. Unfailingly free of judgment, scorn, or criticism, her heart and arms were a calming, saving grace in the midst of our storms. Her generosity and compassion continued to provide consistently and completely. Following a sacred legacy from generations of righteous women, she taught all of us the meaning and importance of our mortal life and true Repentance. For "to [truly] love is to see the face of God."

Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents, sister Kathleen, husband, and son Bryan. She was welcomed into heaven with eager, open arms. Cheryl is survived by four of her children and their spouses: Andy (Laura), (Tiffany), Dallin (Sarah), Alex (Danelle), and Marné (Brian), as well as 22 grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers Doug (Marge) Hawkes and Reed (Candy) Hawkes.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude for the kind nurses, doctors, staff, and hospice workers who cared for her with loving respect during her final days. It was a true joy to see her make so many sacred friendships during her last year on the Earth.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 10, 2025 at the Bountiful 9th Ward Chapel, 585 East Center Street, Bountiful, Utah. A viewing will be held Sunday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful and Monday morning 9:45-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment-Bountiful City Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and this obituary page.