Sulisha Bathemess

Our beautiful and vibrant wife, mama, nana and sister, Sulisha L Bathemess, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, December 8, 2019, at the age of 64. There are not adequate words that convey how deeply her loss is felt and how much she will be missed.

Sulisha was born on January 31, 1955 in San Francisco, California to Velva (Vel) LaVaur Reynolds and Albert (Al) Kilgrow Barlow. Vel later married Calvin (Cal) David Sorensen and moved her family to Vernal, Utah, where Cal owned the carpet business, Carpets by Cal. She graduated from Uintah High School in 1973 and had many wonderful memories of her childhood with her mother, ‘daddy Cal’ and brother’s Brad and Kelly.

A prolific and ardent love for dance fueled her throughout life. Sulisha began dancing at a young age and went on to major in ballet at the University of Utah, ultimately becoming a professional belly dancer who performed throughout the United States and Canada. Credited with being the first female middle-eastern dancer in Utah, Sulisha was the founding director of Arabian Eyes School of Dance and the Middle East and International Dance Gala, which showcased many talented dancers from around the country. In her store and studio at Sulisha Creations in Sugarhouse, Utah, she taught classes and sold beautiful Middle Eastern dance costumes. This infectious love and talent for dance is part of the amazing legacy she leaves behind and will live on through those within whom her passion was ignited.

Sulisha married Paul Brent Falkner on November 14, 2003. They enjoyed their 16 years of married life in Layton, Utah, surrounded by open fields and grazing horses she loved. Paul was her port in the storm and her grounding anchor. He cherished and adored her, caring for her in any way he was needed. They enjoyed spending time together going shooting, fishing and out to dinner every Friday night. Sulisha and Paul were united in their equal feistiness, passion for life and deep love for each other.

Sulisha’s “one and only” daughter, Chassie, was her constant companion and partner in crime. Chassie went on many adventures with her mother. From hanging backstage while Sulisha modeled or danced, to traveling the country with her while she pursued her dance career, Chassie was there supporting her mother. They shared a love of the arts, especially dance, and deeply enjoyed one another’s company. To love someone is to know them, and no one knew Sulisha quite like Chassie.

Sulisha found deep meaning in being “Nana” to her three grandchildren. She went out of her way to spend time with them every week and showed them a genuine warmth and deep affection. Birthdays and holidays will never again be complete without her quirky, vibrant spirit. She played games, watched movies, fed, loved and joked with them and spent long nights before Halloween making them costumes--with a twinkle in her eye and colorful jokes to pass the time.

As an expert seamstress, Sulisha sought perfection in her work and carefully hand-crafted each piece with the utmost precision, diligence and creative eye. Many people have benefited from her talent and skill through the elegant dance costumes (and numerous--last-minute--“projects” for her daughter and grand-children) she meticulously crafted. She was also an avid horse-back rider, loved painting and playing the guitar and taking care of her kitties.

With an indomitable spirit and a fiercely independent nature, Sulisha ignored the call to conform and blazed her own trail. Overcoming challenges life threw at her along the way; she continued fighting to do the things she loved, seizing life with uncompromising vigor. Grief and pain were fuel for an engine that allowed her to continually press pedal to floor. Staunchly loyal, deeply passionate about her family, with a strong drive to challenge herself; she was vibrant, tenacious and beautiful to the end.

Sulisha was preceded in death by Velva LaVaur Reynolds Sorensen (mother), Calvin David Sorensen (step-father) and Albert Kilgrow Barlow (father), Randy Mastrom (brother), Dixie Lynn Sorensen Greener and Zena (doggy), Puddy (kitty) and Misty (doggy). She is survived by her husband Paul Brent Falkner, daughter Chassie Anne Hatch Bunker (Collin), grandchildren: Alexander, Calvin and Oliver Bunker, step-children Robert Paul Falkner (Micki), daughter Kaylee, and Devin Colby Falkner (Marci), daughters Florence and Francesca, her siblings: Brad Sorensen, Kelly David Sorensen, Albert K. Barlow Jr., Cali Jo Mastrum Smith, Pam Sorensen Bowden and many wonderful family members and friends.

Funeral services will be held Monday, December 16, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the Lindquist's Kaysville Mortuary, 400 N. Main Street, Kaysville, Utah.  Friends may visit family Sunday, December 15, 2019  from 6 to 8 p.m. at  Lindquist's Kaysville Mortuary, and Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.

Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery, 500 E. Crestwood Road, Kaysville, Utah.

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