Jessie Dodd

On the morning on Nov. 9, 2021, Jessie Dodd of Sandy, Utah, returned to heaven at the age of 87. Jessie was born in Stockport, England on Oct. 12, 1934, to Albert Bartle and Miriam Shaw. She married Brian Dodd, the love of her life on July 28, 1956. They were later sealed for time and all eternity in the London Temple in January 1965. Together they had seven children, 24 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Mum and Dad joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1963 and with this, life changed forever. They moved to Bountiful, Utah in 1965 and lived there for two years, then back to Stockport, England until they settled in for good in Sandy in 1982. This brought about many incredible experiences and wonderful friendships that were made to last a lifetime. Early on in life, Mum’s wish was to have her children close, and she accomplished this. Most of her kids lived in Sandy and a couple of them lived one street over from her. Family get-togethers happened often, and they always centered around food—any excuse to gather and eat. She served in many callings in the church, but by far, one of her favorites was being a youth Sunday school teacher. She loved teaching and interacting with each one of her students.

She loved to cook. Cooking was her passion, her hobby, her fix-all things, her service projects and everything else. She waited on Dad until his dying day, and nothing was ever too much to do for him. We often teased Dad and asked him if he discovered where the kitchen was, after living in the same house for 20 years. She would work hard and long hours and still come home and cook an award-winning dinner for him. If a project involved cooking or baking, you could count her in. For many years, she would bake 35 to 40 cakes at Christmas time and deliver them to her neighbors. We told her that most people buy their treats and drop them off, and maybe she should consider doing the same. She would nod her head and then continue baking. It’s how she showed her love for others. Not too many years ago, a couple of families in the neighborhood were struggling with health issues. She would take dinner to them three times a week for over four years, and she always took enough food each time to last two or three days. She didn’t consider this a chore, as she loved every minute of it and always loved serving others.

She served until the day she died, always mindful of others and their struggles and challenges. She loved her neighbors, her friends and her ward, but her favorite people to spend time with were all her kids. She loved traveling and especially loved Hawaii. She loved going back to visit England, and staying with family, it made it all the better. She was blessed to visit often. Her dogs were her pride and joy and we often made comments about her loving them more than us. They ate gourmet meals every day too.

Anyone who knew Mum knew that she talked to dead people quite often. We would tell her that she might want to keep it quiet, as people would think she had “lost it” and was a bit crazy. Her comment was always, “That’s okay. I am, but who cares?” She knew what she saw and heard, and she wasn’t afraid to tell of her experiences, hoping they would help and comfort others. We always had to clarify with her—when she told us she had visitors last night—by asking if they were living or dead.

Mum knew hard days and struggles. Outliving her youngest son and three grandchildren were by far the biggest challenges, but even on the worst of days, she saw the tender mercies of God.

Mum will be missed by many, but not as much as she will be from her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Until we meet again Mum, save a piece of chocolate cake for us up there.

Jessie is survived by six children: Vivienne (Alan) Taylor, Gregory Dodd, Tracey (David) Smith, Christopher (Laura) Dodd, Lisa (Michael) Parmley, Samantha (Bradley) Stephens, 24 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Joan, her brother Frank, her husband Brian, her son Andrew, her grandchildren, Jason, Jeremy and Sheridan.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, at the Pinehurst Ward, 9636 South 1700 East, Sandy. Friends and family may visit from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Heidi, Chelsea, Hattie and Calli from Suncrest Home Health and Hospice for their love, care and support.