Candace Wilkes

On February 23, 2022 Candace Wilkes was returned to the universe, free from pain and heartache. Candace was the big sister and the protector for many people she knew. She had a fierce spirit, a quick wit and the biggest boldest laugh. Candace loved music and movies, animals, her friends, family and mostly her niece and nephew. Candace loved loyally and ferociously, always dedicated to those that touched her life.

Candace was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on January 2, 1980 to Sheryl Wilkes and Kenneth Wilkes. She was a chatty little lady from the time she started talking, delighting her parents always with her funny expressions and big ideas. Three years in, Candace became a big sister and took the role seriously, albeit a little reluctantly upon her sisters arrival. Candace took the roll of big sister through the rest of her life; always being the protector, the boss, and the mastermind behind so much fun. Candace graduated from Kearns High School in 1998 after years of chorus, swim team, drama class and lots of friends and adventures.

Throughout Candace’s life she truly treasured travel. Her mother sacrificed so much to make a life for her family filled with new places and romps around the globe to discover the history and beauty the world has to offer. Candace loved a cozy hotel bed and a big beautiful pool, she reveled at new restaurants and finding the hidden secrets of every city she visited.

Candace loved big ideas and wanted to challenge the status quo. She cared deeply about the injustices of the world and wanted to be big sister to the whole hurting human race. She made a point to educate herself on what was happening in the world and was passionate about the truth.

In 2003, Sheryl Wilkes, Candace’s mother, passed away after a long battle with cancer. This death marked Candace for the rest of her life with a deep and unrelenting sadness. Through all the healing one can do, losing the champion of your existence was too much for Candace to bear, and she struggled deeply at the loss. Candace always tried to find her mama’s magic in all she did, and has now returned to her in the Remember Land.

For the last 6 years, Candace lived with Mike and Angie Shaw in Magna, Utah. Mike & Angie provided a loving home that Candace found a family in. She cherished their friendship deeply, adoring their children and grandchildren - bringing her big sister mentality in everything she did.

Candace was my big sister first and forever. She taught me to drive, she wiped my tears when boyfriends came and went, she was the sounding board to my own despair of losing our mother. She was the biggest cheerleader in my success, sending me notes of love and pride for any small accomplishment. We talked every single day about anything and everything in our lives and she could make me laugh like no one else. She was truly my life partner that I hoped would make it through to see my babies grow. I love you, Candle Lou - Dawndle Doo.

Candace Wilkes is survived by her father, Kenneth Wilkes (Julie Wilkes), her sister Chelsea Currier (Micah Currier), her niece Seeger Currier, and her nephew Dashiell Currier. Candace is also survived by extended family and friends that cared for her endlessly. She will be greeted by Papa, Gram, Mama Sheryl, Auntie D and many others on the star side.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday March 11, 2022 from 6:45 PM to 10 PM at Cactus & Tropicals located at 2735 S 2000 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84109. Food and Beverage will be available. Graveside services will be held March 12, 2022 at 2:30 PM at Wasatch Lawn Memorial located at 3401 South Highland Drive, Millcreek, UT 84106.

In lieu of flowers, please donate any contribution to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, https://www.nami.org/About-NAMI/Donate-to-NAMI or to Shatterproof https://donate.shatterproof.org/page/35108/donate/1