Sherrilyn Hiatt Brown

Sherrilyn (Sherry) Hiatt Brown, 80, passed away peacefully at her home in West Jordan on the morning of January 5, 2026, from complications following a stroke. A beloved matriarch and devoted friend, Sherry leaves behind a legacy of faith, service, and unwavering love.

A native Utahn, Sherry was born in Salt Lake City on June 6, 1945, to DelMar and Marjorie Hiatt. As the eldest of five children, she helped anchor a lively household in Kearns, later graduating from Granger High School in 1963. While she attended Brigham Young University, she selflessly chose to enter the workforce to support her husband’s education—a testament to the supportive partner she would remain for six decades.

The great love story of her life began when her missionary, Roger Brown, returned from service in December 1964. They were engaged on Valentine’s Day, 1965, and sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on May 5, 1965. Over the next ten years, they welcomed five children, who became Sherry’s primary focus and greatest joy.

Throughout a life marked by both deep joy and significant adversity, Sherry remained a pillar of faith. She taught the gospel of Jesus Christ to her children through word and, more importantly, through her daily example. Her natural sociability and warmth turned neighbors into friends across every community she called home. Sherry was the light and the "glue" of her family.

She will be remembered as a kind friend, neighbor and sister, a beautiful and loving grandmother, a faithful and affectionate wife, and a cherished mother. We were so blessed to have her with us to celebrate Christmas and Roger’s birthday before she returned to her Heavenly home. We know she is joyfully reuniting with loved ones on the other side of the veil. We look forward to the time when we will all be a forever family.

Sherry is preceded in death by her parents, DelMar and Margery Hiatt; her sister, Jane Nielson; her brother, Darrell Hiatt; and her great-grandson, Samuel Wakefield.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Roger; her five children, Eric (Charity), Bryant (Pamela), Erin (Aaron), Brooklyn (Jeff), and Darrell (Robyn); 27 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and her brothers, Kelly (Lori) and Mark (Lela).

Service Schedule

Friday, January 9, 2026

• Evening Viewing: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Located at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

6695 South 2200 West, West Jordan, UT

Saturday, January 10, 2026

• Morning Viewing: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM

• Funeral Service: 11:00 AM

Both held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

6695 South 2200 West, West Jordan, UT

Zoom Link available, https://zoom.us/j/98402668853

Flowers & donations can be sent to her chapel at 6695 South 2200 West, West Jordan, after 5 PM Friday, January 9.

In honor of her memory, we will all “remember who we are, what we are, and what we stand for”.

Life Sketch

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing, and celebrate the life of, Sherrilyn Hiatt Brown (Sherry), 80, who slipped peacefully from this life due to complications from a stroke in the early morning January 5, 2026.

Sherry was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, June 6, 1945, the oldest daughter to DelMar Bryant Hiatt, a Kennecott Mining Foreman, and Margery Gardiner Hiatt, a Homemaker. She spent her early years in the mining town, Garfield, UT where she established a profound love for her Grandmother, Mildred Gardiner who often cared for Sherry while her mother struggled with health challenges. As the town of Garfield dwindled, the family, which now included younger sister Jane, relocated to Kearns, UT. Shortly after the move, after a bout with German Measles during pregnancy, Margery delivered a baby boy, Darrell in 1952, born without sight or hearing. He was dear to the family, especially to Sherry, however, he required constant clinical care and was soon moved to the Utah State Development Center in American Fork, UT until his passing in 1975.

Sherry attended and graduated from Granger High School in 1963. As a member of the Pep Club, she developed a passion for dance. Her enthusiasm led her to later enroll at Brigham Young University as a Dance Major. During her high school years, two significant things occurred that dramatically changed her life:

1)Two cherished younger brothers were (surprisingly) born into the family, Kelly in 1961, and Mark in 1963.

And 2) On the evening of May 17, 1960, 14-year old Sherry, attended a Mutual Dance, and asked the new kid in the ward, Roger Brown, to dance with her during the “Snowball”-and thus began the launch of a 65 year romance!

Sherry waited for Roger, her missionary, and love of her life, to return from service in the Spanish American Mission, located in San Antonio, Texas. Even though he wrote home to inform her she didn’t need to wait, she remained devoted and prudently sent him her beautiful game changing graduation portrait which has remained in his wallet to this day. Roger returned home Christmas Eve 1964, proposed Valentine’s Day 1965, and they were married on Cinco de Mayo, 1965 in the Salt Lake City, LDS Temple.

The couple began their married life together in Provo, UT. Since then, moving became a common adventure and they have called the following places home:

• Austin, TX
• Salt Lake City, UT
• Provo, UT
• Newhall, CA
• Back to BYU in Provo
• Kearns, UT
• Sacramento, CA
• Spokane, Bothell and Olympia, WA
• Highland, UT
• Back to Kearns, UT
• Bothell,again,
• Ammon, ID
• Back to Kearns again and finally settling in
• West Jordan, UT

Throughout these moves, Sherry left an indelible impression and a wake of love and fondness from people across the country.

Five children followed over the first 10 years, Eric, Bryant, Erin, Brooklyn, and Darrell. The kids became her life and she dedicated herself to a career of counseling, chauffeuring, supporting, doctoring, and feeding the brood. She volunteered everywhere they were, in every way or place possible. As a room-mother, den-mother, team mom, “art lady”, book-club coordinator, a PTA officer and she even invented ways to be with them in whatever capacity she could. We loved having her as the office secretary in American Fork and she had several other jobs as well. She was heard to say her favorite job was at Deseret Book in Valley Fair Mall with friend Gayle Eavenson.

Along the way, Sherry faithfully taught her children the gospel of Jesus Christ through word and example and maintained her testimony of the gospel even through a lifetime of joy and trial.

A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Sherry spent her life in faithful service to the Lord and His Kingdom and held a variety of callings including, but not limited to, Young Women’s President, Stake Young Women’s President, Primary President and Teacher, Relief Society President, Counselor and Teacher, a Temple Ordinance Worker and Sunday School Teacher. One of her favorite callings was as a full time Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints from July 2011 to December 2012, where she served in the Dominican Republic with her eternal “companion” Roger. She was loved and trusted by the Elders and Sisters serving there and made lasting friendships with the couples, leaders and members she served with. She was also blessed to serve in the West Jordan Spanish Ward where she made treasured memories.

Sherry was devastated when after many years she could no longer serve the Lord and associate with dear friends in the Jordan River Temple.

Sherry was also known for her delicious food and desserts and often entertained, especially the missionaries, and will be remembered for her hospitality and open-door policy to all- including those who had the chance to live in the Brown home and enjoy the festive atmosphere within their walls.

She was always a true lady, and her family loved how she often had pretty nails, hair and makeup done, earrings on and a lovely fragrance.

She loved to meet up for the Brown and Hiatt family reunions and sibling dinners throughout the years-and it seems there was always a family birthday at the house.

We are grateful, that through action, she taught all of us that 80% of success in life is just showing up! So many people showed up for her and she was truly grateful for the chance to spend time with them.

Thank you, Grandma, Nana, Mom, GiGima, Sherry. Your sacrifices have been many and your example steadfast. You are loved and will be missed terribly.

Until we meet again and are reunited in the hereafter, we will “Remember who we are, what we are and what we stand for.