Breeanna Kjerstin Smith
June 14, 1992 - November 10, 2025
Bree Smith, a simple name for someone with such abundant light and magic. Bree passed away too soon in Sugarhouse Utah, on November 10, 2025. Born to parents Derek and Michele Smith in Logan Utah, Bree had a love for Cache Valley her entire life. Bree’s birthday is Flag Day and for years, she believed everyone was putting out flags in celebration of her, and maybe we always were.
She was the oldest of three children, and was primarily raised in Layton UT, attending elementary school and graduating from Northridge High School. True to her infectious personality, and natural ability to lead with love she was voted most likely to be the first female dictator (but we know she would have been a people’s king). Either way, people naturally followed her lead and her light.
From a young age, she thrived in leadership and social roles so it was a natural fit that she was a class and student body officer throughout her Junior and High School years. This passion enabled her to achieve a full ride scholarship to Utah State University, where she was an ambassador for the University and the College of Communications. She thoroughly enjoyed recruiting for the school and treasured the friendships she built while studying. She was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority and made lifelong friendships with her sorority sisters, and she also served as VP of Public Relations. Bree absolutely loved being an Aggie and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications.
Bree’s strong communication and people skills allowed her to hold several key positions during her career, including recruiting and working in HR as an onboarding director. People gravitated to Bree and loved to be around her. Her gift was making anyone she was communicating with feel like the most important person in the world. Most recently, she was an Executive Consultant, building her career as a skilled storyteller and beautiful poet. In 2023, Bree achieved her goal of becoming an accomplished author, and published her book, From Burn to Bloom. Bree lived her life in a poetic, creative way and poetry was the most natural language she knew. She built community around words and helping others to find their true selves through writing and truth sharing. In one of the poems from her book, she writes:
“Know there is no price
no currency
that will ever
convince me
to put someone else first
at the cost of my self-worth.”
And, she helped others embrace their own self-worth, value, importance, and voice.
Bree was a dynamo. She was constantly on the move. Her greatest joy came from traveling the world both solo, and with her partner Filiz. She lived in the Philippines and China and saw more of this earth than most people only dream of seeing. She had a goal to see every U.S. National Park and was well on her way in achieving it. She loved to take road trips in her RV Bus, affectionately named, Babs. Her body was a travel log as she gained a new tattoo in many of her favorite destination spots. Each one representing a place she enjoyed or a relationship with a loved one. She loved her dogs Moose and Mavi, her friends and extended family…and her loving partner Fi-being around them was a joyful experience for everyone.
Bree crammed a lifetime of experiences within 33 years of living. If there was something new she wanted to try, she did. Bree was an adventurer, defender of those she loved, socialite, and embraced life with a fun loving, bigger than life personality. She welcomed anyone regardless of race, creed or religion, she was a strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and people loved to be with her, and she loved to be with them. When you had a conversation with Bree, you had her undivided attention. She truly saw the best in everyone.
Bree leaves behind her loving partner, Filiz Undemir (Sugarhouse UT), her parents; Derek and Michele Smith (Layton UT), her sister and best friend, Mackenzie Smith (Sugarhouse UT), and her brother Connor Smith (Rexburg ID). Both her Grandmas; Bonnie Iverson (Idaho Falls, ID) and Marsha Smith (Rexburg ID), many uncles, aunts and close cousins, extended family and 1000s of friends across the world-too numerous to mention. She was connected to many and will be sorely missed. We know she is now at peace.
The world seems a little darker for us all now, but Bree would love to have a final party for those left behind, because she would want everyone to find happiness spending time together and in her memory. A Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, December 6, from 6:00–8:00 p.m at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East. Guests are encouraged to use the parking and entrance on the north side of the building. All are invited!
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Trevorproject.org, or please plant a tree in her honor, she would love that.
“Magic found us because we left the door open”
Bree Smith
In Loving Memory
We appreciate the times spent with Bree! Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family 🫶
I worked with Bree for a short period at Pluralsight. Unfortunately I did not get to know her well but can say genuinely that any interaction I had with her was memorable for her kindness and the positive energy she radiated. I was so sorry to hear of her passing; I am keeping her, her family and friends in my thoughts. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam
Met her breifly at Pluralsight when she visited India. She was someone who would light up the room. She is sorely missed. RIP Bree
Bree’s light travelled farther than she probably ever knew. We met through work but our connection quickly grew beyond that. Even after our careers moved in different directions, we kept encouraging each other to grow, sending little messages cheering each other on or to share good news. I am grateful that I had the chance to see her in Sweden last year, and to meet Filiz. Sharing even a brief moment of life with them made it clear how deeply Bree loved and how fully she lived. I hope she now rests where all bright souls go, wrapped in peace, always remembered. My thoughts are with her family and everyone who carries her in their hearts. Bree, din själ är som det dansande norrskenet på min mörka vinterhimmel. Du bar en värme som skimrade som om universum själv hade gett något extra till just dig. Och även nu, när natten känns tyngre, fortsätter du att lysa genom oss. With love, Emelie
Shelly, Derek and family, Rob want you all to know how very sorry we are for your loss of Bree. Big hugs and prayers!
Bree was one of my closest friends. She helped change the entire trajectory of my life and held a lantern for me through my darkest hours. She’s a part of me and I will carry her with me through the rest of my life. My deep deep condolences to family and of course Fi. I love you. We are forever changed.
Oh Bree, I’d tell you I switched timelines and you’d laugh. I’m so grateful for your laugh ringing in my ears. I’m so grateful to have had you in my life. No words feel enough to describe your magnetism, your warmth, your care - the closest is thank you. Thank you, Bree. Thank you for always welcoming me and making me feel beyond comfortable, loved and a part of the room. You pushed me to seek my truth, to bare my feelings, to improve my life. You changed the course of my life, you changed how I see the world. Thank you for your joy, your laugh, your words. Thank you for all the pieces of you we all get to keep forever in those words. You are a star forever, Bree. You light up the sky, and soon, so soon I know that I’ll look up and feel so much comfort to see you there sparkling. I love you I love I love you.
I only met her once, but she included me and made me feel safe within seconds of meeting her, she was an angel and I am sorry we had to lose her so soon, I hope she found peace, and I hope her loved ones do as well ❤️
She exuded love and light. You could feel her energy when she entered the room and her genuine kindness. I had the honor of working with her at Pluralsight and we worked on the Culture Club together as she and I shared a passion for making the workplace the healthiest and happiest it could be. Just one more example of how she cared for others. The world has lost a treasure.
Bree joined me in a book club I ran at Pluralsight where we read Brene Brown’s Dare to Lead. We had many deep conversations in this small group and Bree brought her empathetic souls and whole heart to those discussions. It was treasured group for so many of us and she was a key member setting the tone and raising key insights. She was both a joyful person to work with and had that rare quality of being able to connect deeply and make others feel seen. I am heartbroken to hear of her passing - she touched so many of us with her beautiful spirit.
I was so sorry to hear about Bree. Our paths only crossed for a short time at Pluralsight but her positivity and warmth left a real mark on me. She had this brilliant way of lifting a room and I can still hear her saying “snaps to that” with her beautiful smile. Thinking of everyone who loved her and hoping her light continues to shine through the people she loved and inspired xx
Bree was the shining light at Pluralsight...I will never forget how amazing she was at facilitating lively discussion and making every single person feel seen and welcome. Every time I encountered her I was in awe of her energy, her positivity, and the way she commanded a room. I am still in shock that she is gone but know that she is at peace. My condolences to her friends and family.
I met Bree 5 years online during the covid19 pandemic, she helped and supported me to get my Pluralsight career started that year. She was always in a good mood and smiling during our chats. When I heard she passed away, I felt pretty sad. I hope she rests in peace wherever she is now. My condolences to her family and friends. Anthony
I was lucky enough to work with Bree on a couple of events - I am and will be a better person for knowing her. We stayed connected and her words were always as lovely as she was.
I am so sorry to hear about Bree's passing. I knew her for a short time at Pluralsight, and I always thought she was in the role she was meant for: to welcome people with open arms. Please accept my sincere condolences!
I have to say I'm surprised by how moved I am to hear of Bree's passing. I only met her through a screen as she guided me through onboarding for a few weeks at Pluralsight back in 2022. Her energy was infectious, and I often thought about her and how positive she was, long after our time together. She just had that unexplainable ability to connect and leave a lasting impression on people. May her family and friends continue to carry the joy and light she gave. Off she goes to her next adventure.
Bree onboarded me when I first joined Pluralsight She always showed up with a smile, and I could feel the energy and warmth she brought. I will miss the clicky fingers. My thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
I was incredibly sad to hear of Bree's passing, I first met her in early 2020 in Salt Lake City. She was a such a ray of sunshine, incredibly warm, kind and welcoming. My thoughts are with her friends and family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou I worked with Bree at various times at Pluralsight, but I most remember her enthusiasm, light, and warm welcoming presence as my onboarding leader. She probably didn't know it, but she set the bar. She set the standard from day one in how we show up for each other, how we communicate, how we empathize actively. These weren't just words for Bree. I hope to live up to them the way she did. Thank you Bree. My heart aches for Bree's family and friends. My sincerest condolences for you all. Josh
I worked with Bree at Pluralsight and came to consider her a friend during my short time in SLC. I remember her as incredibly kind, charismatic, and full of joy. My heart goes out to all of her loved ones. Sending love and light.
I’m so sorry to hear of Bree’s passing. She and I crossed paths at work and bonded during difficult parallel life experiences. I loved her poetry and now realize how rare it was to cross paths with someone so infectiously full of light and beauty. Rest in peace Bree <3
I worked briefly with Bree in Pluralsight, as a new hire back in 2022. Bree leaded my onboarding, and I will never forget how friendly, warm and welcoming she was. It was a breath of fresh air to join a company with such a lovely person being the one of the first you meet. It really set me up with excitement, and I've often spoke of how friendly she was to my wife when I've seen her name pop up, either in old emails - or somebody uses 'snaps' for bigging someone up! Rest easy Bree, and say hello to my sister who passed in August (she would love you!)
I had only known Bree briefly from my time at Pluralsight as an intern. She had a huge impact on our whole summer cohort as someone you could always come to for help on anything and everything. I went to her many times and she never made me feel like I was asking a dumb question, even though I totally was most of time. When I heard the news, I was devastated for the people in her life as I knew how much love she had for everyone around her. Sending my love to her friends and family <3
My condolences to all of Bree's family and her many, many friends. Bree lit up every room she walked into, she went out of her way to make sure people were included and felt like they had a voice. When I joined Pluralsight it was my first time away from my family and she really went out of her way to make me feel welcome, it's something I never forgot and will continue to pay this forward. When I came home from that trip I drove my wife crazy by giving her Bree's famous snaps for everything. You will be missed Bree.
In Loving Memory
