LuAnn McDermott

LuAnn Colby McDermott, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, neighbor and friend left her earthly home on March 19, 2022 at 4:10 am after an extended illness with liver disease which she battled courageously since diagnosed in June of 2015.  LuAnn’s joy in life was her family.  Making her home a heaven on earth for her husband, six children and ten grandchildren was her focus every day of her life. LuAnn never deviated from this endeavor and spent many hours preparing wonderful dinners, family parties and outings to local parks, getaway retreats and special holidays in her home.  LuAnn was thrilled to visit one of her daughters, Whitney, in Germany and later in Georgia to help with a new baby boy and provide help and comfort while Whitney recovered from surgery.  LuAnn was able to also visit her daughter, Taryn, providing needed comfort and support while her husband, Travis, was deployed during his service as a pilot in the Air Force. During this time in her life, LuAnn contracted cavernous sinus thrombosis which left her with a life-threating blood clot in the sinus cavity. After four hospital stays and two stints in rehab facilities, she emerged with a weakened body but a spirit undiminished: she never complained about her compromised body. When asked how she was doing, her answer was inevitably, ‘I’m Good.’ without ever considering that she really wasn’t.

LuAnn was born October 7, 1955 to James Leo Colby and Betty Lou Black in Salt Lake City, Utah. Being the only girl with six brothers, LuAnn got a bedroom to herself, making her unique in the Colby household. Luann had six brothers: Gary, Paul, Frank, Harold, Doug and Curtis, LuAnn fitting between Harold and Doug. From a young age, LuAnn learned the meaning of tough love from her brothers and had the bruises to show for it. This was especially true when it came to washing the dishes and game nights. Throughout her days of growing up in the Colby household, LuAnn had a deep and abiding love for all of her brothers and they all loved and protected their beautiful sister.

LuAnn’s mother, Betty, was a master seamstress and passed her sewing talent to LuAnn. Growing up, LuAnn learned to make her own clothes and would later use her skill to make Christmas pajamas and homemade Halloween costumes for her children as they grew up in Sandy and Chicago.

LuAnn met the love of her life, Rick, on a blind date and they were married and sealed on September 22, 1977 in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity. The total time from 1^st date to marriage was just shy of three months. Together they had six children and created a treasure-trove of memories as the Rick and LuAnn McDermott family. LuAnn enjoyed cooking and home improvement shows.  She would use what she learned from the shows to plan the next Sunday dinner and home improvement project with or without her husband’s knowledge.  LuAnn was a cut-throat game player and used whatever stratagem to gain the advantage over any opponent regardless of age. Her favorite trick was to make people feel sorry for her, only to have them attack someone else before she went in for the kill. This strategy was employed from Risk to Candyland. She often won.

LuAnn contributed to the family budget by working at the Stratford Mall in Bloomingdale, Illinois at various retail positions.  After moving back to Utah and settling in Layton, LuAnn found employment, first at Hancock, and later at Weber State University in the Registrar’s Office where she worked 12 years before illness prohibited her from working longer. She made wonderful friends and was able to visit with Whitney, Marette, Kyle and Colby in between classes as they attended the University.

LuAnn provided quiet, unassuming service that paved the path that she walked everyday of her life. Her life was one of selfless acts and sacrifices for her husband, children, grandchildren, extended family, friends and neighbors. She served throughout her life in the Primary, Young Women, Activity Committee and Relief Society without seeking recognition: her many acts of kindness were done to help those in need and to lessen their burden. LuAnn fought the good fight and endured to the end.

LuAnn is survived by her loving husband William (Rick) Fredrick McDermott Jr., and her six children; Lindsey McDermott; Taryn and Travis Christensen; Whitney and Jake Wilding; Marette McDermott; Kyle and Liz McDermott; Colby and Rachel McDermott; 10 grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. LuAnn is preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Gary, Harold and Curtis.

Funeral Services, under the direction of Russon Mortuary, will be March 25, 2022 at 11:00am with a viewing at 9:30am to 10:30am at the Kays Creek Stake Center located at 2680 East Cherry Lane, Layton, Utah 84040. An Additional viewing will be held on Thursday, March 24, 2022, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Russon Mortuary, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington, UT 84025.

Our family would like to express our love and appreciation to Intermountain Homecare and Hospice for the loving care that they provided to LuAnn, Rick and children during this stressful and critical time in our lives.

A special thanks to Nurse Kristy for the loving compassionate care she provided LuAnn in a way that demonstrated that she cared for our mother and wife.

A special thanks to Nurse Shaylee and Nurse Sandra for taking care of LuAnn’s physical needs keeping her refreshed and comfortable.

We are forever grateful to all the Hospice staff.

For those wishing to attend virtually, the Layton Utah Kays Creek Stake will be streaming the services live at 11:00 AM using the following link: https://www.youtube.com/channel//UCzCUS0M5d1_TZ7vbuhaiteQ