Dora Jean Woodbury

Dora Jean (Leavitt) Woodbury

Dora Jean Woodbury of St. George, Utah passed away peacefully on November 11, 2024 at 97 years of age.

Dora Jean was born March 28, 1927 to Joseph Eugene and Essie Vilate (Barney) Leavitt in Gunlock, Utah, a farming family. She was the youngest of five children. Brother Narvel, Uncle “Narv,” was the oldest, followed by three sisters, Myrle, Dartha – Aunt “Dot” – and Afton. During tough Depression times, Dora moved to live with cousins in St. George while still young. She was a striking young woman and a very accomplished horsewoman, honored as Rodeo Queen while riding her favorite horse, Estrellita. She graduated from Dixie High School and earned an associate degree at Dixie College. Always an avid seeker of knowledge, she continued that quest throughout her life, embracing whatever opportunities she could through reading, study, and active learning.

Dora Jean married the love of her life, Marvin Hall Woodbury of St. George, Utah, on May 16, 1947. They met in junior high, knew each other through high school, and began dating once Marvin returned home from service in the Navy. They were sealed for eternity in the Mesa, Arizona temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Dora and Marvin started their family in St. George with the birth of son David, soon after traveling to Logan where Marvin earned a degree in Wildlife and Range Management from Utah State University. Together they tackled the adventure of summers staffing an Idaho fire watch tower. While in Logan, they added second son Larry to their little family. Upon Marvin’s graduation, they ventured to El Paso, Texas where Marvin worked for the Soil Conservation Service and their third son, Lamar, was born. A good friend convinced Marvin to transfer to the Bureau of Land Management, so Dora packed up for another move, this time to Phoenix, Arizona. Fourth son Daniel was born, and when it seemed destined that the children would all be boys, their first daughter Pamela joined the family. Another move brought them back to St. George, which was strategically closer to the Arizona Strip where Marvin continued working for the BLM and Dora Jean was closer to many extended family members. Sixth child, daughter JoLene was born, and Dora Jean had become quite the professional mother, homemaker, all-around good friend, and neighbor to everyone in town. As the family grew, so did the little community of St. George. Their final child, Scott, rounded the siblings up to seven. They all lived and grew up on the family homestead that Grandpa Lawrence Woodbury had built years earlier.

Once the three oldest boys were grown, serving missions, and seeking their fortunes, Marvin accepted another transfer, this time to Elko, Nevada. Here, Dora and her husband formed life-long bonds as they settled into a whole new community. However, four years later, they were surprised by another transfer, and even more surprised when they learned it was a return to St. George for the final years of Marvin’s BLM career. On the same Woodbury property, they built a greenhouse and enjoyed the fruits of their labors. Now retired, they had time to spend summer days at the family cabin on Kolob Mountain or conducting guided tours for the Forest Service near Bryce Canyon. Eventually, Marvin and Dora Jean sold the homestead and moved to the brand-new development of Meadow Creek where most of the grandkids and great-grandkids have enjoyed visits, overnights, and the games, fun, and food that Grandma Dora Jean was always willing and wanting to share with them.

Dora Jean enjoyed watching her children grow, work, play, learn, and participate in all of life’s activities. She was a vigilant mother who learned the value of hard work early in life, but she also knew how to enjoy the journey. She treasured everyday pleasures like flowers, the laughter of children, a good book, warm homemade bread, fresh vegetables from the garden, the smell of rain, a good board game, and homemade ice-cream. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren on Kolob. She turned the rustic family cabin into a cozy functioning place where her family could share fond memories of family reunions, campouts, and foot races to Kolob Reservoir.

Dora Jean was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and participated in many callings at both the ward and stake level, including various positions in the primary and relief society leadership. She enjoyed her callings and most importantly enjoyed serving others and getting to know them on a personal level. She and Marvin also served together as St. George Temple ordinance workers. 

She taught a love of life and fairness to all mankind, respect and admiration for nature, and the beauties of caring for others. Evidence of her joy, pride, and success is a large posterity, currently numbered at 189 family members (and still growing.)

Dora Jean will be much missed by all those who survive her: her children David Val Woodbury (Gwen), Larry Bruce Woodbury (Christine), Lamar H Woodbury (Brenna), Daniel ‘K’ Woodbury (Diana), Pamela Jean Bundy (Glen, now deceased), and Alan Scott Woodbury (Jodi), and her 33 grandchildren 103 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and by her brother Narvel Joseph Leavitt (Norma), and sisters Myrle Louise Hannig (Arnold), Dartha Sturzenegger (Romain), Afton Prickett (Jim), and her daughter JoLene Duncan (Blake, living).

There will be a viewing at 9:30 – 10:30 am, Monday, November 18, 2024 followed by a service at 11:00 am at the LDS Chapel located at 2079 East 2450 South, St. George, Utah 84790. The interment will take place immediately after the service at the St. George City Cemetery.