Dorothy "Dot" Bailey

Our sweet, witty Dot graduated peacefully from this life on Sunday, January 26th.  Dot fought the good fight all her life.  She lived life on her own terms and left this life the same way.  She fought to stay alive until her great grandson, who is serving a mission in Brazil, could call to tell her goodbye.  She heard his voice then took her final breaths just moments later.  She was surrounded by her family; she is deeply loved. 

Dot was born March 3rd, 1923 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.  She was the daughter of James and Lillie Wordsworth.  She married Ken Bailey on Dec. 26th, 1942 in Sheffield, England.  The marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple.  She and her husband had 51 amazing years together.  She immigrated to the U.S. in 1959 with her husband and two children, they achieved the dream of building a home together in Bountiful where they spent many happy years with neighbors they loved.  They considered the next-door neighbors on both sides of them, the Ortega’s and the Palmer’s family.

She was a hard worker and enjoyed her work cleaning the Salt Lake Temple.  She was later made the supervisor over the linen department there. She went on to be an aide to the general authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints with many unique assignments.  She loved the people she worked with and cherished that time.  She served a mission to the London Temple with her husband from 1980 – 1982.  When she returned home, she worked in the kitchen at Holbrook Elementary, then at Washington Elementary.

Retirement didn’t slow her down. She loved going to the temple, was part of her English Club, Empty Nesters Club, was an avid reader, travelled with friends and family, and loved cheering on her grandkids and great grandkids at soccer games.  The fans loved her, the referees not so much. She and her husband were lovingly adopted by the student body at Viewmont High where Ken helped coach soccer in the 80s and early 90s.  All the students called them Grandma and Grandpa Bailey.  They genuinely loved the students and helping at Viewmont. 

For the past 22 years she has lived with her daughter and son-in-law in Bountiful.  She loved her neighbors and friends in that neighborhood so much.  We want to thank everyone for loving, supporting, and spending time with her. 

The family wishes to thank the South Davis Hospice team.  You have been our angels.  She was proceeded in death by her parents, two brothers, a sister, her husband Ken, and one grandson, Dustin Johnson.  She is survived by two sons and one daughter, Paul Bailey, Centerville; Tony Bailey, Salt Lake; Diane (Ray) Johnson, Bountiful; Grandchildren, Shawn (Kim) Johnson, Chandee (Alan) Chidester, Sunny (Don) Ford, Brandon (Holly) Bailey, Bacall (Chris) Hincks, Vicci Spencer, Brad Bailey, Kristy Bailey; great-grandchildren, Payton Johnson (Lexi Noorda), Gabe Johnson, Cole, Mason and Dax Palmer, Spencer, Andrew, Kenna, and William Ford, Christopher Ketchum, Bailey, Henry, and Ryan Hincks, Elyse and Harper Bailey; and one great-great granddaughter Addison Johnson.   

She was known for her quick wit, great sense of humor and endless poems, songs and funny sayings.  One of our favorites was, “If I’m giving while I’m living, then I’m knowing where I’m going.” She will be greatly missed.  In the words of Frank Sinatra, “She did it her way!”

A viewing will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Friday, January 31, 2010 at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah. Online guestbook at www.russonmortuary.com

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the LDS missionary fund or to the Viewmont High Soccer program.