Dorothy Robbins Reese, our beloved sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend peacefully passed from this life on March 16, 2019. Dorothy was born August 9th, 1928 in Burley, Idaho, the second of two daughters, to Arnold and Thelma Robbins. Five years later the family moved to Perry, Utah.
Though their family was less well off than many people, she never considered them to be poor. She reports, “I was rich—with a sister to play with and parents who loved and catered to us”. She graduated from Box Elder High School and attended LDS Business College.
After working at General Electric for five years, Dorothy moved with some friends to Washington D.C. where she worked for the Department of Labor as a secretary. Dorothy returned home to Utah and was soon called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southern California Mission where she served in the mission office. When she returned home from her mission, she was speaking in sacrament meeting when Ray Don Reese was in attendance.
He introduced himself, and they began dating. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 16, 1955. Their first son, Bryan was born a few years later, and after Ray completed his education, they had the opportunity to go to the Tongan Islands where Ray had been offered a job to teach at Liahona High School.
They returned to Brigham City, Utah three years later with another son, Van, and a daughter, Janet. Neal, their third son and last child was born two years later. Brigham City would be Dorothy’s home for the next 50 years until Ray Don passed away in 2014.
She has lived in Alpine, Utah, near Janet’s family since that time. Dorothy was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many leadership positions in her ward and stake, and served another mission with Ray in the Raleigh, North Carolina Mission.
Dorothy was a gospel scholar and loved to teach. Her love for and knowledge of the gospel was an example to family and friends up through the end of her life. Special thanks go to River Meadows Senior Living, and Symbii Hospice for their special care for Dorothy at the end of her life.
Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, her eternal companion, Ray Don, and friend and brother-in-law Wallace Christensen. She is survived by her sister, Fay Christensen, and children, Bryan (Felicia) Reese, Van (Kris) Reese, Janet (Terry) Grant, and Neal Reese. She also has 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held March 25, 2019 at 11:00 am in the Brigham City 10th Ward Chapel, 500 S. 200 W., Brigham City, UT. A viewing will be held March 24, 2019 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the Myers Mortuary at 205 S. 100 E. in Brigham City. A short viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 am prior to the funeral at the Church.
Interment will be in the Brigham City Cemetery.
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