Dora Jane Halford Plant

Dora Jane Halford Plant age 83, loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend passed away suddenly on Thursday, June 18, 2015. Dora was born in a one bedroom house shared with twelve siblings on the west side of Salt Lake City on June 21, 1932.
Dora was born during the worst years of the Great Depression and grew up in a tiny, impoverished home full of children, mostly brothers. She was nine years when World War ll started. She spent many a day going down to the nearby railroad tracks with her siblings to scavenge scattered coal to help heat the family home. Dora learned early how to be clever and resourceful. She devoted herself always to assist her ailing parents and help raise her younger brothers. She loved her family, heart and soul, and endured tremendous hardships. Dora grew into a ravishing beauty and briefly earned a living as a model. She had that certain lush “Elizabeth Taylor” natural beauty and unique style she cultivated until the day she died. She had many suitors, but it was Joseph Edward Plant who fell head over heels in love and won her hand. They were married in Olympia, Washington on January 24th, 1951, while he was stationed at Fort Lewis Army Base. Dora and Joe devoted themselves to one another, their family and community for 64 years, together they raised three children.
Dora was the consummate homemaker. She loved to decorate her home and cook up a storm. She was an accomplished seamstress and could take a pattern from a favorite pair of store bought jeans and replicate it perfectly. She designed and hand stitched all of the curtains, throw pillows, upholstered chairs, and bed linens in her house. Her home was her castle and creative art palette. She was a master porcelain doll ceramist and teacher.  Dora’s porcelain, museum quality creations with mind boggling attention to detail will stand the test of time and be treasured family heirlooms. With her passion for cooking she worked and owned two local restaurants and for over 25 years served as head chef over food services at the Bountiful LDS Temple. Strong in her testimony, she fulfilled many LDS callings with joy and dedication. Dora loved teaching Primary and Relief Society programs.
Dora is preceded in death by her dear parents, Lillian Honora Walsh and Charles William Halford Sr., devoted husband Joseph Edward Plant, beloved son Lyndin Plant, dear granddaughters Korrine & Olivia Plant and all her beloved nine siblings that survived into adulthood, Charles, Kenneth, Roy, John, David, Richard, Violet, and Lucille. She is survived by her two daughters, Jody Plant and Jessica Hanks, and a cherished legacy of five living grandchildren, Christopher Plant, Andrea Perkins, Shawn Plant, Ian Hanks, Julian Hanks, and three wonderful great grandchildren, Nicole, Samual and Jacob.
The family would like to express their loving gratitude for the kind generosity, patience graciously and tirelessly given, by Jon and JoAnn Taylor, her amazing Bishop Neil Wilkinson, relief society President Denise Egbert, home teachers Dave and Jon, and the compassionate care by her home nurse Jeff Harrop, Dr. Parkin, PT Steve Wilson and the countless efforts of the Applegate team of therapists, nursing and hospice care.
A special heartfelt thank you to Russon Brothers, especially Scott and Matt, helping the Plant family give their parents a lovely and proper funeral service with dignity and grace.
We are forever grateful to the Taylor’s, Wilkinson’s, Tina Mcalister, Ian Hanks, Ann & Terry Plant, Christopher & Liz Plant, Steve, Pam and Judy Halford. All angels on Earth.
A memorial service will be held honoring Dora on Thursday, June 25, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bountiful 45th Ward House, 115 Wicker Lane (1850 South Orchard Drive) Bountiful Utah. Family and friends are welcome to gather at 10 a.m. Burial will follow directly after the services at the Bountiful City Cemetery, 2224 South 200 West, Bountiful, Utah 84010. Lunch will be served afterwards back at the Bountiful 45th Ward House.