Melody Lynn Hoki

Melody Lynn Shegrud Hoki, 65, of Orem, UT, passed peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, March 21, 2024.
Melody was born on September 9, 1958 in Seattle, Washington to Grover Shegrud and Karen Shegrud Sipes. The oldest of her siblings, Melody took pride in being a good sister, a good daughter, and a great student.
In junior high school, she learned to play the clarinet. In high school, she played clarinet in the school's marching band. She also learned to play guitar and loved singing to herself and to her brothers and sister.
Melody loved to sew and made all her own clothes from age 14 on. She loved cooking for her family and excelled in grilled cheese sandwiches, hot fudge sauce, and macaroni and cheese.
In 1976, Melody graduated high school and moved to Provo, Utah to attend Brigham Young University, eventually transferring to Utah Valley State College to complete her degree in accounting. While attending BYU, Melody met Stephen Hoki. They were married in the Latter Day Saints' Salt Lake City Temple on April 22, 1978.
Melody's faith was important to her and she loved being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Melody and Steve settled in Orem, Utah, where they bought a house and raised their four children. She gave birth to three girls in a row and her husband Steve thought he would never have a son, until their youngest child was born.
Melody had many joys in her life. She loved talking and telling stories. She had a fondness for chocolate. She enjoyed going for drives in the Utah canyons. Above all, she treasured her grandchildren and cherished every moment spent with them.
Melody was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis shortly after her last child, Travis, was born. For many years she refused to allow the disease to compromise her life or slow her down. She continued to teach her children her love of crafts, cross stitch, crocheting, sewing, baking and cooking. While dealing with MS, she finished her schooling while tutoring college students in the accounting lab at UVSC (UVU), graduating as the 2001 Valedictorian with her Associates, 2002 Summa Cum Laude with her Bachelors, 2003 Valedictorian with her second Bachelors, and had a successful career as a tax accountant with H&R Block where she loved to brag about her kids and grandkids every chance she got. One of her last tax seasons she had the opportunity to work with one of her daughters, Valerie, who was following in her footsteps and finishing up her accounting degree at UVU to go on to become a tax accountant. It brought her great joy to see her kids follow the example she set.
Around 2016, the MS became more severe and she stopped working. Even then, she continued helping her extended family with their taxes. Not long after, she gave up her car keys and became dependent on her husband, her kids and her grandkids for rides.
Once she became bedridden and Steve cared for her with love and devotion, with the help of her kids.
In 2021, her MS had taken such a toll, she was forced to move to the Orem Rehab and Skilled Nursing Center. Though she hated the disease that stole her health and mobility, her indomitable spirit refused to be squelched. With the help of her family and the use of a special van, she continued to participate in her family's life.
Not long ago, Melody acquired a roommate that needed love, compassion and friendship. For the last several years of her life, she served her Savior by looking after her roommate and being her hero. When her roommate was unable to communicate her needs Melody was able to do it for her.
Melody is remembered and loved by all who knew her. She is survived by her husband Stephen Hoki; her four children, Rebecca (Kristian) Hargett, Valerie (Bradley) Illingsworth, Christina Hoki, Travis (Lindsey) Hoki; her eight grandchildren, Damien, Treyce, Kaden, Madeleine, Jack, Tayson, Milo, and Maxwell; her father, Grover Shegrud; her four brothers, Luke, Dan, Tim, Wesley; and her sister, Heidi Watkins.