Denine H. (Harris) Reynolds, our sister, wife, daughter, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family members on November 13, 2022, after a long and difficult battle with ailments incident to mortality. She was our hero to the very end.

Denine was born on November 1, 1957 in Monticello, Utah to Robert Edward Harris and Leslie (Harvey) Harris. She lived with her parents and two subsequent siblings, Kelly Gene and Dori Dean, in Blanding, Utah. At the age of 8, she moved with her mother and siblings to Provo, Utah so her mother could attend Brigham Young University and get a degree. While in Provo, she attended Wasatch Elementary School, Farrer Middle School and Provo High School. During her junior year, Denine moved with her family to Duchesne, Utah, where she attended and graduated from Duchesne High School.

Denine had the opportunity to learn how to play the violin and played in the orchestra during her time in school. She taught herself how to play the guitar and many hours were enjoyed by many listening to and singing with her as she played. Camping was especially fun when she would get out her guitar and play with us as we sang. Denine also had a wonderful alto voice and could harmonize with just about any melody. She spent a significant amount of time babysitting for many of the neighbors and ward members and was sometimes referred to as the "Pied Piper". She loved children and was always a child advocate where ever she went. Denine was active and participated in playing basketball, softball, and volleyball. After she graduated high school, she attended Brigham Young University, beginning a degree in early childhood education.

Denine was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She had the privilege of working in many of the organizations of the church, teaching in Primary and being the Primary Music Leader, serving as an adviser to the Young Women, teaching in the Sunday School, and serving in the Relief Society Presidency in the ward and the Stake. Her favorite calling in the church was as the Ward Librarian. This calling gave her opportunities to help others in ways that she was most comfortable. In 1979, Denine accepted a call to serve a mission, serving the wonderful people of South Korea.

While serving in the Korea Seoul West Mission, Denine met an elder, Ira Gene Reynolds. While she did not particularly like him at first, over time they developed a mutual friendship. After Gene returned home, he began to write Denine and a deeper relationship developed. A few months after returning home from her mission, Denine and Gene were married in the Provo Utah Temple on August 20, 1981. They were blessed to have two daughters born to them, Angelina (Lauper) and Juliana Reynolds. In April 2000, they were also blessed to adopt two more children, Kelcy Marie Reynolds and Ryan McKay Reynolds. During their marriage, they lived in Provo, Utah, Shiprock, New Mexico, Kirtland, New Mexico (Gene's home town), finally returning to Provo in 1989 so that Gene could attend Brigham Young University. During that time, Denine helped support the family, and Gene, by working for Provo School District as a teacher's assistant, manager of a computerized student monitoring program, and as the director of an after school program.

Denine's passions in life included music, crafts, rock collecting, and working with children. From time to time, she was a tutor for various children and she enjoyed every opportunity she had to work with children. She loved to play her instruments and sing and encouraged her children to develop musical skills. She also enjoyed gardening and spending time with her flower gardens, until her disability no longer allowed that opportunity. She loved camping with her family and we enjoyed many nights singing around the campfire as she played her guitar, another activity that she was unable to do as her disabilities progressed. She could see things in rocks that the normal person missed and amassed a large collection of rocks over the years. Holidays were generally decorated with crafts made by Denine and she often gave her crafts to others as gifts.

Above all, Denine loved her Heavenly Father and the Savior and was always concerned that she was doing the things that They would have her do. A few days before she passed, she asked Gene if she was still doing the right thing, if she was doing what God would have her do. She was honest in all her dealings and worked to instill that quality in her family. She had the love of Christ, charity, in her heart and would always come up with ways that the family could serve others. She would frequently volunteer to bring meals to families in need or do other projects for them. She would also stop to help people and became friends with many of those that she met. She found great joy in doing things for her husband and children.

Denine is survived by her husband, Ira Gene Reynolds and all four of her children, Angelina Lauper (Provo, Ut), Juliana Reynolds (Ewa Beach, Hawaii), Kelcy Reynolds (Southern Utah) and Ryan Reynolds (Enoch, Utah), two grandsons, Joshua and Anthony Lauper, as well as her mother, Leslie Harris of Duchesne, Utah. She is also survived by her siblings Kelly Gene Harris of West Jordan, Utah and Dori Dean Buffum of Salt Lake City, Utah, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Within the last few years, Denine was also able to become acquainted with five half-siblings and she is survived by Tammy Wrenn of Charlotte, NC, Tony Harris (Mary) of Mt Holly, NC, Debra Leftwich of Lincolnton, NC, Rita Rodden (Lee) of Gastonia NC, and Jennifer Hammond (Greg) of Matthews, NC.

Denine loved animals and had many pets over the years, including Juliana's dog, Skye, that has kept her company recently.. She was proceeded in death by her favorite puppies, Raina, Buddy and Kira, a parakeet (Katie), and a bunny (Sweetheart). She looked forward to being reunited with them, as well as many family and friends.

A very special thank you to all who were able to come and see and help with Denine in the last weeks and days of her life and for all the wonderful comments and condolences shared by many friends and family.

A celebration in her honor will be held on Monday, November 21, 2022 at the Provo Peak 9th Ward building, 965 N. Locust Lane, Provo, Utah. A viewing will be held at 10:00 A.M, followed by the celebration at 11:00 A.M. Interment will be in the Provo City Cemetery following the celebration.

Arrangements are being provided by the Walker Sanderson Mortuary of Provo, Utah. Thank you for your wonderful care of our beloved Denine.