Denise M. Thomas

Denise Thomas, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away in her home on Saturday, July 8, 2023.

Denise was born in Shelley, Idaho, on September 15, 1953, to Hyrum Dale Mathews and Bernice (Arave) Mathews. She was the fifth of eight children. Denise graduated from Shelley High School, and earned an associate degree at BYU. She then moved to California to attend Bryan College of Court Reporting.

Denise loved to decorate and craft. She was always learning how to create things, and always had a project she was working on. She also loved to travel, especially with family and friends, and she enjoyed her girls' weekends with her college roommates. She was always up for adventure; whether it was boating, biking, riding an ATV, or playing pickleball, she was always doing something fun. It was on one of her adventures to Hawaii that she met Bob Thomas. They married on April 11, 1986, and spent 37 happy years together.

Denise loved her children and grandchildren, and made sure they knew she loved them. She would sometimes send her grandchildren treats in the mail, and was always up for chats on the phone and game nights when family was in town. She never hesitated to be there for sporting events, recitals, and graduations when she could.

Denise was also very generous. From collecting coats and toiletries for the homeless, to donating to St. Jude's Hospital, she was always looking for ways to help those in need.

She was preceded in death by her parents Dale and Bernice Mathews, and her brothers Steven and David Mathews. She is survived by her husband Bob Thomas, her children Rochelle (Michael) Yates and Matthew Andersen, her step-children Trevor (Denise) Thomas and Kevin (Christy) Thomas, her siblings DeAnna Dalrymple, Gordon (Judy) Mathews, Darlene (John) Hansen, Darren Mathews, and Daryl Mathews, and her grandchildren Tacy, Parker, Emery, Riley, and Lillian.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Heritage Park 6th Ward Building, located at 5233 South 3200 West, Taylorsville, Utah. Family and friends are welcome to come prior to the service from 10-10:45 a.m.

We'd like to thank those from ACTIVE Hospice Care for being so kind and helpful.