'RHOSLC' Star Whitney Rose Grieves the Passing of Best Friend Shari Quai Following Her Struggle with Cancer

Whitney Rose of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, season 4, was deeply affected by the untimely death of Shari Quai, one of her closest friends. Shari's unfortunate passing led to intriguing exchanges between Whitney and another cast member.

Although Shari was not featured on RHOSLC, she was very close to Whitney. Shari was a Utah resident and an alumna of BYU and Westminster College, obtaining both her nursing and CNRA degrees from there. Her career path led her to Elase Medical Spas and Cosmetic Surgery Center as an aesthetic nurse injector, according to her LinkedIn.

Shari was also a dedicated wife to her husband, Josh Quai, and together they had children named Lily, Vienna, McCade, and Eve Rose, who succumbed in 2017.

Shari battled stage 4 colorectal cancer, but she did not allow the disease to dictate her lifestyle. She became an advocate for well-being after her diagnosis.

In March 2019, she revealed via Instagram, "The greatest thing about a cancer diagnosis is that every moment matters. Living life in a way that is who you WANT to be is probably the MOST healing aspect of my journey.”

Shari continued to update her followers about her health condition until just before her death. In a post dated April 21, 2023, she revealed her severe state, with complications like coughing up blood and lung fluid.

Following her death, Whitney Rose paid tribute to Shari on Instagram. Whitney, who is also the founder of Wild Rose Beauty, shared her favorite video clips of Shari, expressing her deep sorrow and admiration.

New of Shari's critical condition was incorporated into The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City season 4 narrative, allowing viewers to witness Whitney's grieving process. Whitney also spoke about her relationship with Shari and what her death meant to her.

Whitney admitted to being deeply affected by Shari's death, expressing her concern for Shari even while continuing with her professional commitments. This was evident during an event she attended right after Shari's passing, which resulted in an explosive argument with fellow cast member Lisa Barlow. Whitney took issue with Lisa for not acknowledging Shari's death.

When Lisa finally asked about Whitney's well-being. Whitney lamented, “It hurt when you walk up and go right past me. No, I’m not [okay]. I need you to hug me, and I need you to acknowledge that I lost my best friend.”

Lisa, in turn, argued in a confessional, “I don’t know how Whitney handles grief.”

She informed Whitney that she sent flowers, but Whitney failed to appreciate the gesture.

“I don’t care about flowers,” Whitney said. “I want you. Everything’s about you. I’m always there for you, and I just need you for one minute to be there for me.”

Whitney then stormed out of the party and Lisa took off her mic, repeating, “F–k this.”

“I’m so f–king sick of this,” she told husband John Barlow. “I’m selfish [and] I’m all about myself?”