Dorothy Seeley

Dorothy Seeley
Ogden/Elsinore

Dorothy "Dot" May Jensen Seeley, 96, our cherished mom, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend peacefully passed away in Ogden on December 10, 2024. Dorothy was born August 22, 1928 in Elsinore, UT to parents Cleve and Donna Fairbanks Jensen. Loved ones surrounded her in the days and hours before her passing.

Dorothy grew up in Elsinore Utah. She was the oldest daughter of two, a long awaited sister Necia arrived when she was twelve. As a child of the depression she lived a simple life, surrounded by family and friends. She and her cousins sewed their own doll clothes, played with paper dolls and kittens, and made mud pies.

Dorothy attended school in Elsinore and later at the University of Utah. While visiting a friend in Ogden she met Calvin Seeley, the love of her life. They married November 29, 1946 after Calvin was released from his Navy service during WWII. She worked to support Cal as he obtained his engineering degree at the University of Utah. Their first daughter, Susan was born at this time. In 1951 after graduation they moved to Long Beach, California where they were blessed with two more daughters, Nanette and Necia. For the next 30 years they enjoyed many lifelong friendships with neighbors and coworkers with a two year work assignment in Washington DC. A love of travel was born as they explored the east coast during these years. 

Dot enjoyed her career as a devoted mother and homemaker, always supportive of her husband and her girls activities and education. Family vacations were spent camping and included frequent trips to Utah to visit and celebrate Christmas. Calvin and Dorothy designed and built a cabin at Panguitch Lake in 1968. Friends were always welcome and it became and remains one of the family’s favorite vacation places.

Dot was an avid reader all her life, made many beautiful quilts for her daughters and granddaughters. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved family history, researching the origins of ancestors in England, Denmark and Massachusetts. She had a talent for making the most wonderful pies and there was seldom a party without one. 

After Cal’s retirement they moved from California back to Utah. She and Calvin enjoyed 30 years traveling extensively throughout the world, often with family or friends. Dot could strike up a conversation with anyone, she was always interested in others and their stories. She made many friends through playing bridge, participating in book clubs, exercise classes, and the places they traveled.

Dorothy loved any kind of celebration and was always willing to have or attend a party, often involving card games, especially Russian Rummy. Her grandchildren were willing participants of numerous tea parties. Dorothy’s extended family enjoyed many years of happy Christmas’s at her and Calvin’s home in Elsinore.

Dot was adored by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and she adored them. She was always willing to travel and spend time to be with them. She loved playing games, reading stories, teaching them to sew and bake and telling stories about her life. She attended soccer games, dance performances, debate competitions, plays, art exhibits, birthdays, graduations, baptisms, farewells, cider and hat parties and anything to which she was invited.

Dot was one of a kind and she extended a hand of friendship to all she met. She unconditionally loved and cherished every member of her family. She was kind and had a gentle spirit. Her life was spent in the service of her family and she will be so very greatly missed.

Dorothy is survived by her three daughters, Susan (Greg) Pack, Nanette Seeley, Necia (Jon) Vona, her sister Necia Horgesheimer, nine grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, all of whom were lucky to be able to spend many great years with their great grandma Dot.

Graveside services will be held at the Elsinore Cemetery on December 28, 2024 at 2:00 pm. The family would like to thank Inspiration Hospice for the loving tender care they provided to our mom and our family.

 Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook www.maglebymortuary.com