Jerilyn Flake

On June 8, 2023, We lost our modern day Pollyanna, after a brave journey fighting cancer.

Jerilyn Flake was born on March 21, 1951 in Mesa, Arizona to Charles and Ethel Flake.  Jeri grew up with her older sister Cindy and her younger brother Chuck. Many years later, their family was blessed with their brother, Jim.

Jeri had a wonderful childhood, putting on plays, making mud pies, riding bikes with her siblings and spending time in her dad’s Yellowfront store. She was a cheerleader, and was very popular because she was beautiful both inside and out. After graduating from Westwood High School, she moved to Provo, Utah for a bit, and had lots of fun with friends. She later moved to California because she loved the beach, but came back home to be near her brother Jim. She stayed in Arizona working in the dental field for many years and then opened a Mexican Restaurant called Jerilitas in the Tri City Mall.  It ultimately closed because of her generous heart… she gave way too big of portions!

Everyone knows the shining star in her life is her daughter Staci. Together they were a dynamic duo. They moved to Port Orchard, Washington to live near her sister for a few years, and then followed them to Utah when Staci was 5. Jeri gave her all to being a mom to Staci and all her friends. She worked full time in a dental office and had dear friends in the workplace, many who became like family.  She made lifelong friends throughout her life because of her love, acceptance and kindness towards others.

In 2000, she packed up a Uhaul and moved back to Mesa to care for her elderly parents. She gave many years serving them. After they passed, Jeri followed Staci and her “spirited bunch” from Texas, to Southern Utah, to Hawaii, then settled in Val Vista Lakes in Gilbert, Arizona. Here she was a caregiver for many years, caring for someone else, while going through cancer herself. She was selfless. She loved spending all her free time with her grandkids. She loved her ward family so much, they were home to her.  Jeri spent the last months of her life in her “Jerilita(Mema) Suite” at the Jardine home, with Staci, Seth and their children who she loved with all her heart. She had hundreds of people come and share their love with her at this time and let her love on them!

Jeri is survived by her gregarious loving daughter Staci and husband Seth, and her precious grandchildren who were her everything, Alissa(Trent), Kenzie, Taft, Emily, Kayli, Amaya, Havyn and Tyson. Her great grandson, Tobias. Her sister Cindy(Bob) Patten, brothers Chuck(Dori) Flake, Jim(Hope) Flake, and many nieces and nephews who had the very best Aunt Jer!

Jeri was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Ethel, and her nephew Jordan Jay Patten.

A special thank you to the many nurses and caregivers who have loved, served and cared for Jeri these past many months. Especially to her very best friend Donna, her niece Heather, her friend Patty, and to Sam, Kathy, Amy, Nas, Kristy, Nicki, Cliff and Mike.

Services will be held on June 19, 2023 at 10:00am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1005 N. Voyager Dr. Gilbert, AZ 85234.

Virtual Link:   https://youtube.com/live/d_jcw1tjnTU?feature=share

The Interment will take place following the funeral at the Mesa Cemetary, 1212 N Center St, Mesa, AZ 85201.

May we never forget the way she made us feel, and try to spread that love and light with others!! Not everyone could touch others lives as she has. She was affectionately everyone’s Mema.  She lived “The Glad Game” and found the good in everyone. Jeri would give a loud “coo da coo” to greet loved ones. Let’s make the world better by doing the same. Coo da coo!

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.