Dortha Dean Braithwaite

Dortha Braithwaite

Manti, Utah

With heavy hearts we send our beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend into the welcoming arms of her Heavenly Father. Dortha Dean Bagley Braithwaite left us on August 11, 2013 in Centerfield, Utah.

Dortha was born on April 29, 1925, in Koosharem, Utah to wonderful parents, Owen and Irene Brown Bagley. As a young woman she moved to Manti to work in the parachute factory where she met and later married Jean Braithwaite. Together they became the parents of eight children.

After the death of her husband, in 1966, she found a way through hard work and determination to raise her children. She sought work and was hired as a school lunch worker at Manti Elementary where she was employed for 26 years. She became known as "Grandma B", not only to her own grandchildren, but to the hundreds of students that passed through the lunch line every day.

Through the difficult years she taught each of her children the value of hard work and the joy that comes from serving others. She was truly a woman of integrity and a perfect example of how to love and live life.

Mom was truly devoted to her family. Making and keeping a clean and welcoming home for them was important to her. She loved spending time with her family; it was her true joy.

Mom loved flowers and plants. She worked hard to keep a beautiful yard and garden and enjoyed sitting on her front porch with a good book or watching the birds.

"Grandma B" will be remembered by her numerous posterity, for her warm hugs, sugar cookies, Christmas packages, Christmas breakfast and conversations around her kitchen table.

She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Mom has been an inspiration to all of us and we are grateful for her example. She will always be loved and her memory cherished by her children: Mary (Bill) Workman, Vickey (Wayne) Sevy, Owen (Janell) Braithwaite, Diane (Dale) Cox, Alan (Cecelia) Braithwaite, Lynette (Michael) Graham, Eileen Howe, Robert (Penny) Braithwaite, and stepson David (Ursula) Vigos.

Dortha is survived by her sisters: Wyoma Anderson, Mildred Paul, Rolaine (Fred) Blackham, and her brother Elwin Bagley. She is also survived by 32 grandchildren, 86 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sons-in-law: Don Reid, Rick Gonzales, Dick Olson; granddaughter, Heather Reid; grandson, Brandon Olson; brothers Owen Bagley, Lorenzo Bagley; and sister, Betty Bagley.

Our sincere thanks to the Community Living Center for the loving care you extended to our sweet mother and to our family.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 15, 2013 at 10:00 am in the Manti Tabernacle, 90 South Main, where friends may call Wednesday from 6 to 8 pm and Thursday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Manti City Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com

"I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn and we are led to those who help us most to grow, if we let them and we help them in return. So much of me is made of what I learned from you. You’ll be with me like a hand print on my heart….because I knew you, I have been changed for good…." F or Good (from the Broadway Show "Wicked") We love you Mom.