Simodocea "Shirley" Valencia

Simodocea “Shirley” Valencia passed away on December 6, 2022. She went peacefully in her home surrounded by her family.

Shirley was born on January 12, 1947 to Marcilino and Martina Esquibel in a Canjilon, NM. She later moved to Durango, Colorado and attended school, found her first job at the COD laundry where she met her love and future husband Elias Valencia.

They Married on December 5, 1964 and later moved to Ogden, Utah where they bought their first home and raised their three beautiful children Michelle, Darlene and Stephanie.

Shirley loved raising her children and tending to her grandchildren. She embodied love and compassion in all that she did. Shirley decided to act as a role model to her daughters and grandchildren by re-enrolling in adult education and graduating from Washington High School in 1994.

Shirley began babysitting for the Methodist Church nursery in 1999 after the loss of her husband following her long-lasting passion for God’s Children.

Shirley loved many things, her family, friends, God. Her interests were crocheting, baking, crafts, fishing, gardening, she was the self-appointed butterfly whisperer. She enjoyed puzzles, trivia, jacks, fourcell, crosswords and hula hooping. Shirley had a huge heart and would share all that she had with others. Compassion was the driving force behind her actions, and she was always serving others and donating all that she could to provide assistance to those in need. Love was the framework in which Shirley lived and died.

Shirley is survived by her three daughters, Michelle Bird (Randy Bird), Darlene Valencia (Scott Nelson), and Stephanie Valencia; her six grandchildren, Angelique Oquendo, Cassandra Oquendo, Brandon Bird (Khadija Bird), Marissa Nelson, Dylan Bird, and Jordan Nelson; and her three great-granddaughters, Bayleigh Bird, Dahlia Davis and Olivia Bird. She is also survived by four sisters, Florence, Katy, Flora and Sally; five  brothers, Leo, Donald, Louie, Joe and Raymond; and her special friend Armando Hernandez.

Shirely was preceded in death by her loving husband, Elias Valencia; her parents, Martina and Marcelino Esquibel; two brothers, Gilbert and Lionel, and three sisters, Sophie, Angie, Marcy.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at 11 a.m.at the First United Methodist Church, 1339 West 400 North, Marriott-Slaterville. Friends may visit with family on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. with Rosary at 7:45 p.m. at Lindquist’s North Ogden Mortuary, 2140 N. Washington Blvd. Interment, Ogden City Cemetery.

A sincere thank you to Armando Hernandez for the many years that he stood by Shirley's side supporting her in work, family, friendship and love. The family would like to thank Shirley’s many friends at the Methodist Church who lovingly accepted her into their community and provided a church family for her. We are grateful for Olive, a dear parishioner and friend from the Catholic Church that visited with Shirley and brought her communion. We would like to give a special thanks to Judy who provided love, laughs and comfort to Shirley and all the family. A final thank you to the staff at Symbii for the outstanding care and love they showed our mom.

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