Tanya Graff

Tanya Jo Spilsbury Graff was born August 7, 1948 in Cedar City, Utah to LeGrande and Bette Lu Spilsbury accompanied by a twin brother that they didn't know they were having. She passed away March 18, 2026; after a courageous nine-year battle with ovarian cancer. She was a fighter and a true miracle. She married Clark Elgin Graff from Santa Clara on December 19, 1964 at the Spilsbury Mortuary in St. George, Utah. The marriage was later solemnized in the St. George LDS Temple.

She was raised in Toquerville for the first few years of her life and then they moved to St. George; where she attended East Elementary, Woodward Junior High and Dixie High School. After she was married Clark and Tanya moved to Cedar City where she completed her education. They went to Southern California to Cypress College where Clark attended mortuary school. She worked as a waitress to put him through school. They returned to Cedar City where they partnered with her father and brother and established Spilsbury and Graff Mortuary. Clark and Tanya lived above the Mortuary for 18 years. Where they had all five of their children.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus of Latter Days Saints, where she served in many callings. Primary was her favorite. She was active in the community and served as the Lady Elks President. Kolob Mountain was a special place for her and her family. Upon retirement they became snowbirds and moved to Sunshiner's Park in Beaver Dam, AZ for the winter and Kolob Mountain in the summer. Tanya made everyone feel loved and welcomed wherever she was. She was always up for a party. She loved to have fun. Lots of cards were played, slots pulled and bingo cards dobbed. She loved to read, play golf and quilting with dad. She was a favorite aunt to her nieces and nephews, and they were all her favorites as well. She was so proud of her children and grandchildren. She loved them fiercely. She was always bragging to everyone about how good-looking and talented they were.

She is survived by her 5 children, Betsy (Redge) Johnson, Jim (Tiffani) Graff, Jenny (Jeremy) Winn, Sadie (Cris) Spencer, Nick (Missy) Graff also surviving are 14 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren, two older sisters Titine (Jim) Bayles, Vickie Ballard and her Twin brother Ted (Vivian) Spilsbury all of St. George, Utah. She is preceded in death by an infant brother Stephen Michael, sister Susan and brother Peter Jon.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, March 23, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Southern Utah Mortuary. Friends may call Sunday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Monday morning from 9:30 to10:30 a.m. at the Mortuary. Interment will be in the Splisbury family cemetery on Kolob Mountain at 3:00 p.m.

The last year was full of many struggles. Our family would like to give a special thanks to Canyon Hospice, her daughters Jenny and Sadie, and her daughter-in-law Missy for taking amazing care of her. We are all so grateful for the tender moments she spent with her sweetheart, my dad as he cared for her.