July 7, 1951 – October 28, 2023
Shurlene Emer Day Blair, 72, of Moab Utah, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2023. Shurlene was born to Lester Hugh Day and Ellesa Jackson Day Ekker on July 7, 1951.
Shurlene spent her youth growing up in Moab with her 4 siblings: Denette, Hazel, Lester and Julie. As children, they enjoyed exploring the Jackson Ranch and the creek beds of Moab. While attending Grand County High School Shurlene would make clothing and send Hazel out to sell those designs for cash.
After graduation, she married Lynn Bradshaw. They lived in San Diego, California, and Winnemucca, Nevada. Together, they had 3 children: Johnathon, Anthony, and Sinda, who all passed at birth. Shurlene and Lynn later divorced.
Shurlene then dived deeply into finishing her home and beautiful gardens. She was very artistic and creative. She created her own business, Designs by Emer. She always had a cake or cookies to enter into the County Fair, and she won several Blue Ribbons. She enjoyed writing poetry and had several of her poems published. She would also rent out her spare rooms to create income for herself, which is how she met and married the love of her life, Joseph Blair. Together they created their home in Moab and spent many happy years together exploring the deserts and mountains.
Shurlene was always one to have an opinion and whether you liked it or not she was usually right. She had a way with words to inspire you to be the best version of yourself. She had a huge heart and was full of love. She loved her family, animals, and friends deeply.
Shurlene’s greatest passion was hiking and hunting for arrowheads. She loved to write poetry, design rock art, bake, and sew. Later in life, after her illness became so severe that she could no longer walk, she began drawing and painting pictures. It didn’t matter if it was a current event, a childhood memory, or a dream come true. Through her art, she expressed her true self and her opinions. She would share her art with her family and close friends when they would come for coffee and visit. She always had a little piece of wisdom to share and a kiss on the forehead as you said goodbye.
Shurlene was preceded in death by her grandparents, John and Sinda Jackson; her parents, Lester Hugh Day, Ellesa Jackson Day Ekker, and Darys Ekker; her children, Jonathon, Anthony, and Sinda Bradshaw; her beloved sister, Julie Ann Day; and beloved animals, Tish, Amy, Angie and JoJo.
Shurlene is survived by her husband, Joseph Blair; her siblings, Ellesa Denette (Troy) Beason, Hazel Dalton, and Lester (Shelly) Day; Sammy, her loving dog; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends.
Shurlene was loved and cherished by all that knew her. She touched many lives in her own unique way. She will be dearly missed. We are so thankful she is finally at peace.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 4 with burial at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
