St. George, UT - Sheila Summerhays, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, aunt, passed away on January 24, 2025 at her home in St. George. She was born January 21, 1948, in Salt Lake City, to Hyrum and Colleen (Hanley) Summerhays, the second of five children. Sheila was married to Barry Woods. They had three daughters and were later divorced.
Her family lived in Bountiful until Sheila was 10 and then moved to Salt Lake City. Sheila attended Highland High School. After high school, she attended the University of Utah, BYU, and finally graduated from Arizona State University with her teaching degree. She later completed her Master’s of Education from the University of Nebraska. Sheila loved teaching and was a dedicated educator. She taught junior high and high school for many years and loved serving her community through education. Even during the years that she wasn’t teaching at a school, she was still teaching through church service and holistic medicine practices.
She was a caring person to people in need. She provided a home to multiple teens and young adults that needed a stable and nurturing environment to thrive when their own families could not provide the support at home.
Sheila is survived by her daughters Michelle (Richard) Kuhn, Janna Woods and Elizabeth Woods; grandchildren Connor, Jacob and Caden Kuhn, Kanoa and Leilani Woods; siblings Briant Summerhays, Laurel Summerhays and Lani (Roger) Firmage; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Sheila was preceded in death by her parents and brother Scott Summerhays.
Sheila’s daughters would like to thank Hailee and Cheyenne of Choice Hospice, Karen, Rosmeri and the many friends and associates in St. George and Cedar City who helped care for her.
Sheila chose to donate her body to the University of Utah Body Donor program. Through this act, she will continue to teach medical students in the future. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the University of Utah Body Donor program on Sheila’s behalf.
A memorial service will be held in St. George, Utah on February 8, 2025 at 1:00 pm at the LDS Chapel on 912 South 1740 East, St George, UT (please note this is a new location). A Celebration of Life will be held in Salt Lake City later this spring. If you would like information about the celebration of life, please send your email and/or a phone number that accepts texts to CelebrateSheila1948@gmail.com.
Family and friends are invited to share tributes at www.SerenityStG.com.
Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM