Shelli Dru Breeden

Shelli Breeden, our dear sister, aunt, and friend, stepped peacefully from this life into the next on December 28th, 2024—reuniting with her parents, whom she mentioned repeatedly the day after Christmas: "I'm just really missing my mom and dad." Shelli Dru Breeden was born June 26, 1967, in Denver, Colorado and was welcomed into the family of Lee Pherrell & Charlotte (Fullmer) Breeden. The daughter of a career US Air Force father, Shelli spent her childhood in Colorado, Arizona, Louisiana, North Carolina, Hawaii, and California. When her father retired in 1981, the family moved to his native Tennessee. Shelli graduated from Waverly High School, Waverly, TN in 1985 and shortly after moved to Provo, UT to attend Brigham Young University—later choosing a medical career path instead. She graduated from Stevens-Henager College, in 1989, as a certified Medical Assistant. In 1992 she certified as a phlebotomist and began a 20+ year career with Quest Diagnostics the following year, becoming so skilled her patients often marveled at not feeling the needle or commented “you’re damn good”. Shelli’s reputation was such that she was often called to the local hospital to “stick” patients when the in-house phlebotomists or nurses were unsuccessful drawing blood from difficult-to-draw babies, teenagers, or adults.

 Always engaging, Shelli enjoyed a good conversation and could keep one going for hours. She could hold her own in a remarkable range of topics and the range of topics in which she had knowledge or interest was vast. A caring & empathetic listener, she often had the welfare of others on her mind. It was said of Shelli’s father “he never met a stranger.” The apple did not fall far from the tree and the same could be said of Shelli. While in the grocery aisle one day, Shelli watched a woman pick up and examine the first book from what became Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series. Because Shelli had read and enjoyed the book from this new author, Shelli initiated a conversation with the woman. Other women were quickly engaged in the discussion. Simply put, Shelli was a presence in any setting. She enlivened many holiday gatherings, birthday parties, group activities, casual dinners, at-home movie nights and more. The absence of her unique light and cheerfulness will be sorely felt and missed by those fortunate to have known and loved her.

 Shelli was preceded in death by her father Lee Pherrell (1933-2023), her mother Charlotte (1934-2019) and younger brother Joseph Ty Breeden (1969-2011). Those left to celebrate Shelli’s life are brothers Lon Bryan Breeden of Spanish Fork, UT and Kevan Lee Breeden of Wavery, TN. Also celebrating her life and her impact on theirs are nephews and nieces Josiah Cain Breeden (Gina Lyn), Heather Ty Behne (Todd), Stephen Tyler Breeden (Brianna Harvey), Kiah Charlotte Breeden, Moriah Maureen Van Camp (Christopher) and Dylon Leigh Breeden (Payton Williams) along with numerous great nieces & nephews, cousins and dearest longtime friend Sherie Westcott Haller of Monticello, UT.

 An open house memorial service will be held from 10 am-12 pm on Saturday, January 11th, 2025, at 105 W 1800 N Pleasant Grove, UT 84062. Shelli’s cremated remains will be inurned beside her parents & brother at Ebenezer United Methodist Cemetery in Denver, TN, during a graveside service to be held at a later date.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.