Shelly Sanderson Wright

Shelly Sanderson Wright was born on August 17, 1966 in Provo, Utah to Joel “H” and Jeanette Ford Sanderson. She passed away unexpectedly of natural causes in the early morning of September 14, 2026. Shelly was the oldest of six siblings and spent most of her childhood and young adult years in southern Utah County. Shelly enjoyed playing sports, including playing high school softball and basketball - until she ruptured her Achilles tendon. Shelly had a beautiful Alto singing voice. She was able to go to Palmyra, New York and participate in the Hill Cumorah Pageant during her teenage years. She also sang for several years with the “Blue Notes” choir beginning soon after moving to Delta.

Shelly graduated from Bear River High School, and then went to cosmetology school and got her certificate to practice as a beautician. She worked at Sally’s Beauty Supply until she left the workforce to become a full-time mom. When her daughters were both in school and she had more time, she returned to the workforce as a lunch worker with the Millard County School District. She started as a part-time employee, which led to a full-time position, and eventually to her current position – at the time of her death - as Lunch Manager at the Delta South Elementary School. She loved the ladies she worked with over the years and especially interacting with the children. She knew each of their names and was always worried about their happiness and well-being.

Shelly was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many callings, including in Stake and Ward Primary presidencies, Relief Society presidencies, Service Missionary, teacher, and Primary chorister several different times, including at the time of her passing.

Shelly’s greatest love and joy was in her family. She loved her girls and was always thinking of them and how she could help lighten their load. Their friends were like part of the family and were always welcome in her home. Occasionally, kids would randomly show up and start going through the fridge, and Shelly always welcomed them and made them feel at home. Shelly was an excellent cook and was always serving her family and anyone else that showed up. Everyone always felt loved and welcome in her home.

Her grandkids were her pride and joy. She insisted that they call her “Granny” and was always twisting their mother’s arm to get them to come visit. They enjoyed annual outings such as “Granny Camp” and school shopping each Fall. Shelly’s family loved spending holidays and vacationing together, they created wonderful memories of cruising the Bahamas, Disney World, and chilling on the beach in Maui. Some of the holiday traditions included – decorating homemade gingerbread Christmas cookies, dinner in a pumpkin on Halloween, and homemade cinnamon rolls hot from the oven on General Conference mornings.

Her family will miss her dearly. Things they will miss the most will be spending time with her cheering on her BYU Cougars, eating meals together, playing cards, baking delicious treats, sitting out of the porch talking, sitting around the fire eating s’mores, and any other precious second spent together.

Shelly is survived by her father: Joel Sanderson; husband: Russell Wright; daughters: McKendrie(Nathaniel) Hansen and Briley Wright; grandchildren: Amberlyn and Donovan Hansen; siblings: Shauna Anderson, Ricky (Nikki) Sanderson, Joel Jr. (Cozy) Sanderson, Pam (Kim) Dalton, Spencer (RaSelle) Sanderson. She is preceded in death by her mother: Jeanette Ford Sanderson.

Following her wishes, a small private family service will be held later where she will be laid to rest in the Hinckley Cemetery.