Desiree Valentin

Our precious Desiree Valentin, 38, was reborn on the evening of Friday, January 6, 2023 at her home in Centerville, Utah. She passed due to the devastating effects of esophageal cancer. We miss you honey. We will always visualize your smile that took our breath away, matched by your beautiful personality.

Desiree was born on Saturday, February 26, 1984 in Salt Lake City, Utah to loving parents Luanne Nelson Valentin and Antonio Valentin. The family moved to Las Vegas when Desi was one year old so she could be closer to her beloved Grandma and Grandpa Nelson who retired to southern Utah. No one could make Grandpa laugh harder than Desiree as she was learning to talk. She started school in Las Vegas and the family later moved to Centerville, Utah where Desi attended Reading Elementary, Centerville Junior and graduated from Viewmont High School. She grew up in a neighborhood filled with fun and life-long friends. She loved participating in pint-sized cheerleading and taekwondo classes and as she grew older, in drama, music, singing, and guitar. She was a natural. She was the best big sister to little Sharae, who always wanted to be just like her beautiful big sister. Desi taught Sharae all she knows. These two sisters loved to attend concerts together and brought down many a house, dancing the night away. She made us a "ski family", starting at age 5, and she skied most resorts in northern Utah. She skied like the dream-angel that she is.

She worked as a real estate agent, public relations professional, dental assistant, and office administrator. She graduated from Stringham Real Estate School, earning her real estate license at the tender age of 19. She attended Paul Mitchell School of Cosmetology, where she won a competition that earned her a spot to compete at the next level. Her personality and beauty earned her a finalist spot on "The Bachelor" and she flew to Rome to be in the TV series featuring a prince.

Showing her gusto for life, she worked during her illness. When the chemo was successfully beating back the tumors, she decided she wanted to get back into the mainstream of life and bravely interviewed for a job as a part-time receptionist. She was completely honest about her limitations, and of course, they fell in love with her, hired her and within a short time she was an office favorite. She had so many challenges and she turned and faced them head-on. None of us will ever know or understand how much she suffered and how hard she tried. She helped and coached many people through life's challenges, and her innate goodness made everyone she spoke with feel seen and heard.  

Our sleeping beauty Desiree is survived by her mother Luanne Nelson Valentin Hudson, father Antonio Valentin, sister Sharae Valentin Hammond (Derek Hammond), nephews Harlem and Hendrix Hammond, and a large family of loving aunts, uncles and cousins. Desiree's boyfriend Brady Hart and his wonderful son Julian and two kitties were constant supporters before and throughout her illness. We are so grateful for Brady and his sister Kassie for their loving companionship to Desi. She is proceeded in death by her grandparents, Dorothy and Guy Nelson, Aunt Gylene Nelson, Aunt Jane Nelson, Grandpa Gus Macias, Uncle Rick Macias, and other aunts, uncles and grandparents who are now the lucky ones because Desi is in their presence.  

Our thanks to the medical professionals, home nurses and other ministering angels from Huntsman Cancer Hospital and University of Utah Hospital. Desiree received the best health care on the planet. Adversity reveals character and Desiree was a true warrior in her health battle, greeting her doctors and nurses with smiles, patience, big green eyes, and questions about how their day was going. She usually had them laughing as they poked her delicate body. 

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 12 noon on Friday, January 20, 2023 at Genesis Project, 3525 Riverdale Road in Ogden, Utah, under the care of Russon Mortuary. Interment will follow at the Clinton City cemetery 750 West 800 North, Clinton Utah.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page using the following link: https://www.facebook.com/people/Russon-Mortuary-Crematory/100057447129518/ . The live stream will also be posted below.