Thursday, August 22, 2013

On the passing of a dear friend

Dorothy Smith Gillespie
1957 – 2013
Our Angel Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, and Friend, Dorothy Smith Gillespie, passed away on August 15, 2013. She left us after 56 years of charity and love.

Born and raised in Provo, UT by loving parents Oliver Rollin and Barbara McKay Smith, Dorothy had a happy childhood surrounded by dear family and wonderful neighbors. She is survived by her 7 siblings: Kay Rytting (Howard), Olivia Baird (Charles), Ken Smith (Jody), Ron Smith (Colleen), Becky Snyder (Rich), Debby Smith, and Rick Smith (Cindy).

In April of 1979, she married her true love John Kent Gillespie. They were sealed in the Provo Temple and lived throughout Utah in Provo, Payson, Washington, and finally Orem. Dorothy found her greatest happiness in her family. She is survived by her husband John, 7 children, Michelle Briggs (Hiram), Willie Gillespie, Steven Gillespie (Jodie), Diana Anderson (Richard), Suzy Hale (Brycen), James Gillespie, Philip Gillespie, and 7 grandchildren, Emily, Ammon and Aaron Briggs, Adam, Jamie, and Joshua Gillespie, and Michael Anderson.

She attended Brigham Young University where she was active in the Angel Flight program. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. When her children were older, she returned to BYU Law and graduated in 2007.

Serving her Heavenly Father faithfully, she held callings in the auxiliaries of Relief Society, Primary and most recently Young Women for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved visiting teaching.

Whenever you saw her, her cheerful and bright smile made you feel so valued. She had a willing, listening-ear and was a source for sound advice. She could often be found enlisting family and friends to play board and card games with her. She was a sublime example of developing and maintaining relationships. Her interest in others was genuine, and up-lifting. Anyone can attest that she lived a life full of charity and service. As such, people were drawn to her gentle influence and warmth. She was ever humble and kind.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at the Northridge Stake Center, 1660 North 200 West, Orem, Utah. Friends may call at the Berg Mortuary of Provo, 185 East Center Street, Tuesday, August 20 from 6-8:00 p.m. and at the church Wednesday from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be in the Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent at www.bergmortuary.com.