Cecile Endicott Dinsmore passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at her home in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, surrounded by her family. She was born on October 15, 1938 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Cecil Endicott and Mary Hiestand Endicott. As a small child, her family lived in Galveston Texas, Miami, Florida and Oak Ridge, Tennessee. While in elementary school her family settled in Claymont, Delaware. She graduated from Claymont High School in 1956.
She went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Delaware in 1959. That year she also married James K. Dinsmore. The young couple moved to Lakehurst Naval Air station in Lakehurst New Jersey while her husband served his country as an officer in the Navy. After leaving the military, her family settled in Howell, New Jersey. It was there that missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints first knocked on her door.
Cecile eventually joined the church and served in multiple positions of leadership, instruction, and ministry including President of Relief Society on five different occasions, Sunday School Teacher, and an Early Morning Seminary Instructor. Cecile loved serving wherever she was needed, but she found her greatest joy as a Visiting Teacher, ministering to those lucky individuals assigned to her care.
In addition to New Jersey, her family also lived in Delaware, Arkansas, and Puerto Rico, before returning to Arkansas. In 2020 she relocated to Utah to be near her daughters.
Cecile was an accomplished seamstress, making quilts and clothing for her children and grandchildren. She even made a lovely gown for one of her daughters to wear to the Academy Awards. She enjoyed the beach, reading, planning activities for her family and friends, and sharing her passion for the Philadelphia Phillies with her beloved brother Bill. She enjoyed extensive travel and even ventured as far as Egypt. But her greatest passion was genealogy.
She is preceded in death by her husband Jim Dinsmore, her daughter Dana Jones, and her parents Mary and Cecil Endicott. She is survived by her daughters Jamie Dinsmore, Tracey (Finn) Bjarnson and Kristen (Matt) Jensen, her brother Bill Endicott and sister-in-law Susan Endicott. She also leaves behind 13 cherished grandchildren, nieces, and a nephew. She will be greatly missed by all her family and many dear friends.
Funeral services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint ward building on Monday, October 9th. Visitation will be from 12:30pm to 1:15pm and the funeral service will begin at 1:30pm. The address is: 8100 South Top of the World Drive, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121.
To watch the funeral on-line: https://www.youtube.com/@wasatch5thward599
If you would like, donations can be made in her name to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Breast Cancer Fund. Go to: https://give.huntsmancancer.org/page/30815/donate
Ceil was a cherished friend and she will be greatly missed. I loved being around her. She was always optimistic, always had a project she was working on, and always shared her most precious thoughts about her beloved family. I send your family my love and prayers for comfort at this time and know you have many loving memories to cherish of her influence on all of you. ❤️