Sandra Rushton

Sandra Hughes Rushton, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Riverton, Utah, on July 14, 2026, at the age of 80, surrounded by her loving family.

Sandra was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia several years ago. Though the disease gradually took pieces of her from those who loved her, her gentle spirit, kind heart, and deep love for her family remained evident throughout her journey.

She was born on September 5, 1945, in St George Utah, to Leonard and Lucy Chyrrel Hughes. She was raised in the close-knit community of Mesquite, Nevada where she developed lifelong friendships and a deep love for her hometown. She attended Virgin Valley schools and graduated from Virgin Valley High School before continuing her education at Dixie College in St. George.

While attending Dixie College, Sandra met the love of her life, Clyde Rushton. They were introduced through her friend and roommate, Roberta, whose cousin was beginning school at Dixie. After graduating from Dixie, Sandra enrolled at the State College of Southern Utah in Cedar City. However, after only one semester, she and Clyde decided they didn't want to be so far apart. Following a whirlwind courtship, they were married on August 6, 1966, in St. George, Utah, and were later sealed for time and all eternity in the St. George Utah Temple. They began their married life in Tacoma, Washington, near Clyde's family.

Early in their marriage, Clyde jokingly asked Sandra whether she wanted money or children. Without hesitation, she chose children. Together they were blessed with seven, and she never regretted that choice. Her greatest joy and life's work was being a wife and mother.

Sandra devoted herself wholeheartedly to creating a loving home. She made sure her children were fed, clothed, cared for, and taught to love one another. She had a gift for making ordinary days special. Whether she was sewing matching outfits for her children, preparing family meals, or offering a listening ear and comforting hug, she made home a place of warmth, laughter, and belonging.

She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served willingly in many callings throughout her life. Her quiet testimony was reflected in the way she loved and served others. She found great joy in worship, family history, and strengthening those around her through simple acts of kindness.

Music was one of Sandra's greatest passions. She loved to sing and was happiest when music filled her home. During her high school and college years, she participated in numerous plays and musicals, sharing her beautiful voice and love of performing with others. That love of music remained with her throughout her life and was passed on to future generations.

Sandra was also an accomplished seamstress and avid quilter. She found joy in creating beautiful quilts and sewing projects, many of which became treasured gifts for family members. Her hands were rarely idle, and every stitch reflected the love she poured into those she cared about.

Above all, Sandra deeply loved her husband. As the years passed, she simply wanted to be wherever Clyde was. She was perfectly content to accompany him as he worked, waiting patiently in the car until he finished a job or riding beside him in a golf cart around the golf course just to spend time together. Their marriage was built on friendship, devotion, and an enduring love that blessed their family for decades.

Sandra was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Clyde Rushton; her parents, Leonard and Lucy Chyrrel Hughes; her parents-in-law, Clyde and Grace Rushton; her grandson, Emery Bolton; her brothers-in-law, Edwin Rushton, Harold Rushton, Dennis Allan, Dahl Olsen, and Hank Smith; and her sister-in-law, Candace Rushton.

She is survived by her seven children: Chyrrel (Tim) Meyer, Richard (Susan) Rushton, Kristine Hagen, JoLynn (Jed) Bolton, James (Cynthia) Rushton, Thomas (Tara) Rushton, and Julie (Steven) Butterfield.

She is also survived by her siblings Melvin (Ione), Gladys Smith, Kara Lynn Allan, Chyrrel Gwen Olsen, and Charles Leonard (Jo) Hughes; her brothers- and sisters-in-law John (Brenda Lee) Rushton, Paul (Patsy) Rushton, Barbara (Curtis) Pollard, Robert (Laurie) Rushton, Ted (Jenny) Rushton, Jill Rushton, and Ginger Hoffman.

Sandra leaves behind a cherished posterity of grandchildren: Tiffany (Stephan), Emil (Kelsi), Stephannie (Alexander), Travis (Audrie), Alex (Ashley), Larena (Shawn), Colby (Sylvia), McKaylee (Mason), Ryan (Madison), Russell, Adam, Jaycee (Jakob), Keith (Jalene), Tyler (Jocelyn), Riley, Howard (Halle), Seth, Savannah, Addison, Olivia, Alexis, Logan, Micah, Liam, Xander, Tim Jr. (Andrea), Devon, Danny, and Michelle; along with great-grandchildren Autumn, Kristina, Paisley, Riley, Nick, Brinlee, Kaden, Zander, Adalyn, Lydia, Lacee, Jakob, Eliyia, Hudson, Vironika, Jade, Monte, Ander, James, Haley, Troy, Michael, Grayson, Hazel, Harper, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Sandra's legacy is one of faith, family, service, music, and unconditional love. She taught by quiet example that the greatest measure of a life is found not in worldly success, but in the people we love and the kindness we show each day. Her family will forever cherish her example, her gentle spirit, her songs, and the countless ways she made each of them feel loved. Though she will be deeply missed, they find comfort in knowing she has been joyfully reunited with her sweetheart and other loved ones who have gone before.