Marissa Kendra Acocks
Marissa Kendra Acocks (21), of Riverton, Utah, was born on March 6, 2003, and passed away on January 18, 2025, surrounded by family and friends after a courageous 15-month battle against cancer. Marissa brought joy and light to everyone she encountered and was well-loved by her family and friends.
Throughout her childhood, Marissa was known for her love of swimming and playing in the water. She would often wear a swimsuit under her clothes just in case there was a chance she might get the chance to swim.
She loved to travel, including visits to Disneyland, cruises (she didn’t have a favorite, she loved them all), and Glenwood Springs, Colorado. During one trip to Glenwood Springs, she hiked the mountain to Doc Holliday’s grave with a broken foot, wearing a boot.
She loved dogs, snakes, and music. She had a pet dog named Saint (or Satan when she was naughty) and three pet snakes.
Marissa graduated from Mountain Ridge High School in 2021 and married the love of her life, Cohen Jukes, on October 24, 2024, in her dream ceremony – a big wedding surrounded by all her family and friends and a special daddy-daughter dance to If Father Time had a Daughter by Walker Hayes. She wore a beautiful long, black, lace dress and held a bouquet of purple and pink roses that she designed and arranged herself. Their marriage, though brief, was filled with cherished memories and deep affection. They loved sharing time watching movies and playing video games together.
Although she faced her diagnosis with courage and determination, Marissa feared leaving her family and friends so early. Despite not always feeling well, she sought every opportunity to build memories that her family will treasure – including a trip to Las Vegas for her twenty-first birthday and one more vacation to Disneyland. She would have loved one more vacation to Glenwood Springs, but was not able to squeeze that in.
Knowing her life was going to be cut short; she encouraged her family and friends to live every day to its fullest. She lived every day with a contagious passion that brought joy to her life and those around her. She will be remembered for many things, but mostly her kindness, resilience, and the love she shared with her family and friends. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Marissa is survived by her husband Cohen Jukes, father Pieter Acocks, her mother Susan Acocks, her step-mother Deborah Acocks, sister Alexis Thorne (Zachary), her step-sister Chelsey Hollinger (Shay), her step-brother Brandon Naylor, her half-sister Jamie Dickerson, her grandparents Kenneth and Elisabeth Acocks, her grandfather and step-grandmother Jay Mounteer (Bonnie), her grandmother Judy Christensen, and her many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is preceded in death by her grandfather, Scott Christensen, and her step-grandfather and step-grandmother John and Marilee Condas.
We would also like to thank Dr. Warner, Stephanie, Dr. Gardner, Dr. Hunter, and all the staff at Utah Cancer Specialists for her excellent care. We would also like to thank Kelly and Ibaz from Riverton Hospital and Hayden from IMC Hospital as well.
A celebration of Marissa's life will be held Saturday, March 1, 2025, at The View Event Center from 11am-2pm. (11649 S. 4000 W. South Jordan, Utah, 84009). In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society or the Humane Society of Utah.