Crystal Polanco

CRYSTAL POLANCO

1983 ~ 2022

It is with sudden and extreme sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved, Crystal Lee Polanco on January 1st, 2022. Our angel that went too soon at the age of 39.

Crystal was born in Kanab, Utah on August 25th, 1983. Growing up she was always surrounded by loving family and was so proud to be the oldest and only girl amongst her cousins. She would tell stories about how she kept her cousins “in check” and laugh. She also laughed when discussing her youngest cousin born so many years later, the only other girl or “the competition”, Shaylyn. Even with the age gap she still found a way to become close with her in recent years and they adored one another. Crystal did not have an easy life early on, but she was much more than her struggles. She learned a lot of hard lessons early and carried that knowledge into being a great friend and an even more amazing wife and mother.

Crystal was a bright spark in this world and will be deeply missed by many. She had a spirit that was honest and heart felt, and these characteristics spilled over into all that she did. She saw the world as it was and despite the many challenges, consciously looked for the beauty and wonder around her. Many remember her for her warm demeanor and infectious laugh that was a comfort to all. She was always there to be a listening ear with a hug and offer sometimes brutally honest advice. She always told the truth even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear. She was a best friend to all walks of life. You would always leave with a story of something funny and crazy that Crystal did while you were with her. This included yelling “LARRY” while pretending to try and get to the front of a line faster, simply to embarrass her best friend.

Crystal loved to cook and was a hard worker. She wasn’t afraid to take risks and try new adventures including in business. She was always teaching herself how to start businesses and helping others in the same adventure. She loved packing up spur of the moment and going camping. She would invite everyone and have food and a warm bed waiting for them when they got there. She loved to fish and enjoy the peace. She would often stick her feet in the river water just to feel the cool water run over them. She knew how to enjoy all the small moments. She also loved to garden every summer and was proud to cook with the food she grew and loved. She loved her animals as her fur babies and fostered and adopted many.

Crystal met her soul mate Emanuel after a rough beginning in life. She was overcoming a lot of obstacles and was always up front and honest about her place in life. Emanuel and Crystal together became a strong foundation to which they would build a great life on. They both became better people for one another. She was her husband’s everything. There is no way to fill the missing piece of his soul that was torn from him with her passing.

When Crystal’s children were born, it changed her whole outlook on life. There was nothing more she wanted in life than to have a warm, loving home full of children. We are so happy she was able to see that dream come true with each child that she and Emanuel brought into their life. Even through the struggle of losing a child, Crystal always kept her head up and knew there would be brighter days. She always said that she knew she would see Manuel later, and she was at peace with that.

Crystal is remembered by her children to be both “a fighter” and “a beautiful angel”. She was dancing in the kitchen with them only hours before her passing on New Year’s Eve. She taught them that if you have no choice but to fight or flight, “You fight because your mom is a fighter and you’re a Polanco!”. They will carry with them lessons from her on the importance of forgiveness and working every day to live a life without regrets. She taught them to enjoy every minute of every day.

Crystal is survived by her husband, Emanuel Polanco, and her children, Maria, Jesus, and Blanca among many endearing family members and close friends.

She is preceded in death by her son Manuel, her beloved Grandma Mary Woodmancy who she said never judged her and only loved her, and her Grandfather William Woodmancy whom she also adored . Also her Grandma and Grandpa Hollingsworth.

A funeral will be held for her on Saturday January 8th, 2022 at the Peel Funeral Home at 8525 W. Magna Main Street (2700 South) in Magna, Utah. The funeral service will be held at 4:00 PM. A family viewing will take place prior to the service from 2-3 PM and a public viewing will be held from 3-4 PM.

A dinner for family and close friends will be held for her following the service at the church at 4350 S. Moorgate Circle, West Valley, UT.

We are raising money to help cover the costs of the funeral and memorial for Crystal and to help ease the burden on her husband at this time. In lieu of flowers please donate to her family.

The link to her Go fund me is :  https://gofund.me/8402d448

Her Venmo account is @Crystal-Polanco

She made broken look beautiful and strong look invincible.

She walked with the universe on her shoulders and made it look like a pair of wings.

-Ariana Dancu