Sherran Despain

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Sherran Louise Despain, who left us on August 17, 2023. Born in Toppenish, WA on January 18, 1942, she lived a full and vibrant life, touching many souls with her funny, loving, resilient, and thoughtful nature. For most of her adult life, Sherran called Orem, Utah home, where she lived for 55 years. Our mother, a true example of love and enduring strength, was a dedicated LPN in the health care sector, where she leveraged her natural nurturing spirit to help many.

Sherran was a woman of many passions. She held dear her sweetheart Howard Lee, her children, and grandchildren, and her cherished pets, Fluff and Marlo. Sherran found joy in creating quilts for her family, crocheting, and assisting those less fortunate. Her love for cheeseburgers, carrot cake, and white divinity was only surpassed by her love for us, her family. As poet Maya Angelou once said, "I sustain myself with the love of family." This quote captures the essence of our dear Sherran, who drew strength and joy from her loved ones.

She leaves behind a legacy carried on by her children, Alan (Pattie) Despain, David (Melody) Despain, Laura (Brent) Stagg, Judy (Brent) Peay, Jody (Jim) Hernandez, Sandra (Sean) Ackroyd, Machel (Shawn) White, Jeana (Benny) Aguilera, Nancy (Timothy) Copes, Daniel Despain, Andrea (Matthew) Brady. Sherran also leaves behind her siblings Barry Hoffer, Gary Hoffer, Kay Olson, Sue Gorski, Larry Bliss, and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Howard Lee Despain, daughter Kimberly Diane Despain, and parents Norma Mae Hoffer and Raymond Lawerence Fairbanks.

A visitation will be held on Monday, August 21, 2023, at 12:00pm MDT at Nelson Family Mortuary, 4780 North University Avenue, Provo, Utah, 84604, followed by the funeral at 1:00pm MDT. The graveside service will commence at 2:00pm MDT at Orem Cemetery, 1520 North 800 East, Orem, Utah, 84097. For those unable to attend, a live stream will be available at https://my.gather.app/remember/sherran-despain.

We invite all who knew and loved Sherran to share their memories, stories, and photos on her memorial page. Despite the sadness of this moment, let us remember the joy and love our dear Sherran brought into our lives.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to defer funeral expenses. https://www.giftstoheal.com/registry/fh-view-registry/892/sherran-despain/