Valera Soffe Obituary (1946 - 2019)

Valera Soffe, “Soffe”, passed away unexpectedly early October 27, 2019 surrounded by her loved ones. Born February 24, 1946 in Payson, UT, the daughter of Kenneth Steel and Margaret Reeve Soffe, Valera was always very kind and thoughtful. She loved and adored her siblings and enjoyed spending time with her family. Valera was always a very determined soul, accomplishing anything she put her mind to. She was in the Marching Band in High School, playing the flute and also twirling baton. She taught herself how to play the piano and went on to play for church meetings and school programs. Valera knew early on that she wanted to be a nurse. She graduated Provo High School in 1964 and went on to attend nursing school at Holy Cross Nursing School in Salt Lake City, graduating at the top of her class in 1967. She spent many years happily working at Holy Cross Hospital and then LDS Hospital. When her children were grown, she returned to nursing and became the Director of Rehabilitation at Holladay Healthcare where she worked for many years before retiring. The loves of Valera’s life were her 7 children. She spent many years at home caring for them, always saying it was the happiest time of her life. She became the “neighborhood mom”, often caring for her children’s friends as if they were her own. A lifelong member of the LDS church, she served in many callings over the years, from Primary to Relief Society and enjoyed them all. She had a great love for her Heavenly Father and tried to live the way she felt He wanted her to Valera was never one to judge others, but to offer a helping hand and a kind word whenever possible. In her later years, she especially enjoyed spending time with her “little mother”, her children and grandchildren. She loved popcorn, old black and white movies and good ice cream Sunday. She was always willing to lend a sympathetic ear and help others in any way she could. Her compassion for those in need and capacity to care for the needs of others knew no bounds. She will be missed beyond measure. She will never be forgotten by any who knew and loved her. Survived by her mother Margaret Reeve Soffe, siblings Mary (Laverl) Bond, Tim (Trudy) Soffe, Mark (Diane) Soffe, and Christie (Marshall) Jensen, children Erin (Jeremy) Johnston, Margie (Danny) Reynolds, David (Laramie) Simmons, Simon (Julie) Dominguez, Christina (Justin) Morgan, Mikey (Alexa) Dominguez, along with 20 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter Susie Simmons (2008) and her father Kenneth Steel Soffe (2000). Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 11:00 am at the Hillcrest 3rd Ward, 8735 S. Harvard Park Drive, with a viewing from 9:30-10:45 am prior to the service. Interment South Jordan City Cemetery.