Deanie Russell Stott

Deanie Russell Stott, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away Sunday afternoon,  February 12, 2023, two days shy of her Valentine’s 77th birthday. Deanie died of natural causes in her home, surrounded by her children. She was born in Ogden, Utah on February 14, 1946 to Dean Stanley and Emma Rasmussen Russell. Mom often spoke of her idyllic 1950’s childhood and “American Grafitti-like” highschool years of growing up in Ogden. She made sure to introduce each of her children to ice cream sodas at the diner, I Love Lucy reruns, epic John Wayne Westerns and the sunshine music of the Beach Boys. 

While attending Ogden High School, Deanie volunteered as a candy-striper at St. Benedicts Hospital, inspiring her to pursue a career in nursing. She was the first in her family to graduate college where she received degrees in Elementary Education and Nursing from Weber State University. Throughout her life, Deanie was a strong advocate for public health and wellness working in hospitals, educating women’s groups and later serving as a school nurse.

After college, Deanie met Robert Stott, the love of her life. They were married in the Salt Lake temple on August 25th,1971. After a short stint in Vegas, Deanie and Bob made their way back to Utah and family. Mom had a vision of the beautiful life she wanted to create for her children so when she saw the plot with the giant cottonwood trees and singing creek, she knew Farmington would be our beloved home. Together, Mom and Dad raised six children under those cottonwood trees: Jenna, Lynley, Jaclyn, Casey, Carrie and Jeffrey. Over time, her family would grow into 25 adorable grandchildren and six amazing inlaws. Deanie’s greatest pride and priority in life were her family and she devoted everything she did to them. 

Deanie had a love for learning, adventure and church history which she generously shared with her children. A typical summer with mom might include: Southern Utah red rock camping trips, swapping beads at a mountain man rendezvous, exploring pioneer historical sites (we must have been the first kids in our ward to see the Mountain Meadow Massacre site), chore charts to earn money for the highly anticipated Lagoon Day, volunteering at the Utah Arts Festival, waving to endless parade floats, singing and dancing in community summer theater, and traipsing through local museums. 

Mom taught us that variety was the spice of life. She pursued many interests and developed multiple hobbies along the way. Mom created stained glass window art to beautify our home, crafted and painted porcelain dolls for each of her daughters, cross stitched elaborate patterns and crocheted hats and mufflers for Christmas gifts. She sewed her own wedding dress and made an exquisite heirloom blessing dress for her granddaughters.

Deanie loved the theater. Though never realizing her lifelong dream of starring opposite Robert Redford, she sparkled on stage in multiple Farmington community theater productions. It’s a credit to mom’s persuasive powers that she convinced dad to join the fun, and they enjoyed many laughs together on and off the stage.  In addition to her theater work, mom had fun “landing roles” as an extra in several television productions and infomercials, much to her children’s delight.

Mom loved serving in church callings and volunteering in the community. Her wide variety of service included working with the Sundance Film Festival, the PTA, Utah Arts Festival, the Audio/Visual Department for the LDS church and her favorite–a docent at the Beehive House. She fostered a life-long love of learning, with a special passion for Mormon and frontier pioneer history. 

Described as a “gatherer” by her close friends, Deanie cultivated a rich female support system throughout her life, including her sisters, daughters, sisters-in-law, nieces, lifelong friends, and her beloved circle of the legendary SAGS (Sisters Adventure Group). We credit the SAGS with creating the original “girls night out.” Their laughter, tears, shenanigans, and endless support were dear to her heart.

Mom had a strong testimony of the gospel and served faithfully in many varied church positions including primary, young women and Relief Society presidencies, where true-to-form she developed lifelong friendships and provided a model of meaningful service to her children. One of mom’s great strengths was her connection to the Spirit and how it guided her decisions throughout her life and blessing the lives of her family. 

Deanie and Robert recently celebrated 50 years of marriage. Mom was the sail to Dad’s anchor. Their devotion to each other and to their family has left a lasting impact on each of their children and grandchildren.  They are together again and as mom would say, “Shed not the bitter tear, the gem is sparkling yet.”

It is with grateful hearts and lives filled with happy memories that we bid a tearful and fond farewell.   Until we meet again, we love you mom. 

Deanie is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her sisters- Linda Taylor and Marilyn Pledger. She is survived by her sister Kathleen Gilbert, all six of her children- Jenna (Riggs), Lynley (Hogan), Jaclyn (Black), Casey, Carrie (Hughes), Jeffrey and 25 adorable grandchildren.

A viewing will be held at Russon Brothers Mortuary in Farmington on Friday, February 17th from 6-8 pm. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 18th at 1:00 with a viewing from 11:30-12:30 at the Farmington Steed Creek chapel- 347 South 200 West, Farmington, Utah. Interment will be at Farmington City Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.