March 27, 1966- Dec.10, 2022
Marsha Ann Stewart, our beautiful and talented mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend, passed away on Dec. 10, 2022, at the age of 56, after a long and valiant battle against multiple illnesses. Marsha, known by many as Mod, was born March 27, 1966, in Murray, Utah, to David Murdock Stewart and JoAnn (Harding) Stewart.
From a young age, Marsha always had a radiant and inviting personality. She made friends wherever she went and was loved by all who met her. She attended many different schools over her childhood and teenage years, graduating from Kearns High School in 1984. Marsha was gifted with multiple musical talents, playing the violin, guitar, piano, drums, bass, etc.
However, her favorite was singing. She loved music and devoted many of her years to it. At 18 years old she was awarded a music scholarship to Dixie State College in Saint George, Utah, for her violin playing, where she studied for two years. During and after college, Marsha participated in multiple rock bands where she was the lead singer and often doubled as a keyboard player, drummer and violinist. She lived for performing out with her band and practicing with her bandmates.
She lived in Cedar City, Utah, for a short period of time where she made many lifelong best friends and got one of her first hard-working jobs at Yellow Freight. That job made her realize her work ethic and how much she loved being able to take care of herself financially.
She eventually moved back to Salt Lake City where she worked her way up from a front desk receptionist to the head of marketing of a telecommunications company, TelAmerica. She made many commercials, advertisements, slogans, campaigns as well as many other improvements to the company. Marsha qualified for all the incentive company trips during her time of employment, which allowed her to travel all around the world, something she loved doing. She wanted everyone to know how eternally grateful for that job she was, and how much she loved working there.
During her time of employment, Marsha had started a family, having her daughter Jasmin in 1996 and her son Joshua in 1999. She loved being a mother and always made sure her children were loved. She would often say as hard as her life had been medically, she would do it all over again to relive the years she has had with her children. Marsha was caring, patient, loving and understanding, some of the best traits a mother could have.
Marsha and her family moved to Saint George, Utah, in 2002 where she could retire and spend time focusing on her health and family. She had wonderful years with her friends and kids, completing bucket list memories, such as skydiving (which she loved), and sunbathing by her pool (with baby oil of course). She participated in a few rock bands, her most recent and memorable being Sucker Punch. During her downtime, she spent countless hours helping multiple non-profit organizations in town and around the country.
Marsha obtained her black belt in Tang Soo Do alongside her son, Joshua, in 2018, something she had always dreamed of accomplishing. She loved to write her own music and was grateful to be able to record some original songs. She loved fast car rides in her convertible, karaoke, interior decorating, and event planning. She was even able to help decorate a house for The Parade of Homes, and it won. You would never catch Mod without her signature sunglasses, regardless of the time of day.
Over the last few years, her health declined quite drastically, and she was homebound most of her days. Although sick, she got to see both of her children graduate college with their bachelor’s from Dixie State University (Utah Tech University). She saw her daughter Jasmin marry her high school sweetheart Tyler, and the birth of her two grandsons, Benjamin and Sebastian. She spent almost all of her time with her kids, watching her favorite mystery, history and drama shows, eating late-night sweets, loving on her pet pug Mugzie and playing with her grandkids.
Marsha was a fighter, in every sense of the word. She is one of the strongest people we have ever known. She will be remembered for her contagious laugh, beautiful voice, warm smile, kind heart, endless talent, sense of humor, her love for others and kick-butt attitude. Marsha wanted a well-written obituary and often joked she would write it herself. She was a very detailed person and could talk for hours on end about any topic, the gift of gab as she called it. She wanted it to feel personal, and that you may learn something new about her after reading this. We hope we did her justice, we love you, Mom.
She is survived by her daughter Jasmin Gerontis (Tyler Acosta), son Joshua Gerontis and grandkids Benjamin Acosta and Sebastian Acosta; her mother JoAnn Stewart; her siblings, Randy (Maria) Stewart, Larry Stewart, Brenda Brooks, JoLynn (Jamie) McConnell and Michael Stewart.
She is preceded in death by her father David Stewart, grandparents, brother-in-law Barry Brooks and many of her best friends, whom she considered family.
A tribute concert will be held for Marsha at BBB/Mike’s Tavern in Cedar City, Utah, Jan. 7, 2023, starting at 7 p.m. All proceeds will go to Marsha’s children.
A Celebration of Life service will be held for Marsha on Jan. 28, 2023, at The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 279 S. 300 W., Salt Lake City, at noon. Guests are asked to arrive in a timely manner.
Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St., St. George, 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Marsha’s online guest book.