Dorothy Jean Foulger Paulson Birrell peacefully passed away surrounded by family on December 9, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born June 5, 1938 in Ogden, Utah to Orville Merle Foulger and Rachel Elizabeth Braegger Foulger. In 1946 the family moved to Salt Lake City, where Dorothy resided for the remainder of her life. After attending East High School she graduated from the University of Utah in 1960 with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught second grade for the next eight years. She married Walter Paul Paulson on August 14, 196l in the Salt Lake Temple. He passed away on September 8, 1961. She married Richard Wayne Birrell on November 17, 1967 in the Salt Lake Temple.
Dorothy was a dedicated mother to her three children and a beloved "Nan" to her three grandchildren. She spent countless hours reading to and teaching her children and grandchildren, which is one of many examples of how she lived her life in the selfless service of others. She loved spending time with family both at home and in the outdoors, and some of her favorite places to visit were Bryce Canyon, Yellowstone, Snowbird, and Midway. Fiercely loyal, she developed and maintained lifelong relationships with her closest friends. She was warm and loving, with an ever-present sense of humor, and she brought joy and laughter to all who knew her. She was a consummate storyteller who could captivate any audience with her vivid and unique form of communication.
Dorothy was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and her true love was teaching the gospel to children. She began teaching Primary at the age of 16 and continued to do so for the majority of her adult life. She blessed hundreds of children with her endearing ability to bring gospel stories and principles to life.
Dorothy is survived by her husband Richard; children, Cynthia Thorpe, Kenneth Birrell (Melinda), and Douglas Birrell; grandsons, Taylor Thorpe, Ashton Thorpe, and Corbin Crusan, all of Salt Lake; sister Margo Weaver of Provo; and many teddy bears that she dearly loved and truly brought to life. She was preceded in death by her parents, son-in-law Christopher Dean Thorpe, and dogs Suzanne and Austin.
Memorial services will be held Tuesday, December 15 at 12:00 p.m. at the Valley View Stake Center located at 2245 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, Utah. Friends may call Monday, December 14 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. as well as at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday at the same location. Interment will follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park in Salt Lake City.
