1935 – 2022
Doril Woolley Watson was born August 4, 1935, as the second of eight children to Mary “Fern” Madsen and Earl Wright Woolley. She was born in the family-owned boarding home in Richfield, Utah, known as “The Wright House.” She gracefully passed from this mortal life on September 22, 2022, surrounded by her family on both sides of the veil, and entered the loving embrace of her Heavenly Father and Savior.
In her early years, she helped her grandparents with the family laundry service they ran from their home. Her first and best childhood friend was her sister, Colleen. Doril came from a multi-generational family of talented musicians, and she treasured her memories of singing and performing music with numerous extended family members. She taught her children to sing while they worked to make daily tasks more joyful and less mundane.
At age six, the family moved to Pleasant Grove, Utah, where they lived in a canvas army tent while their father built a new basement home for the family from railroad ties, which still stands today. Life was more simple then, and Doril used these experiences from her young years to teach her children to enjoy the simple things in life that money could not buy. One of her favorite childhood memories was going on family picnics and making homemade ice cream in American Fork Canyon. She also learned to appreciate and write poetry from a very young age from her sweet mother, Fern. She learned to be frugal and work hard while growing up during the Great Depression and used these skills throughout her life. A couple of phrases she used during hard times reflected what she learned as a child. “When things get tough, or you get knocked down, pick yourself up and start over again” and “Look for the bright side; there is always a rainbow in the storm.”
Doril was remarkably gifted and talented in various areas. She performed with the Sweet Adelines, played in the High School Marching Band, was a member of multiple school clubs, participated in community vocal competitions, and even went on to compete as a vocalist across several western states. She graduated with high honors as Valedictorian of Pleasant Grove High School in 1953. As a result of her enduring dedication and persistence in her studies, Doril was accepted to multiple colleges and universities, and she was awarded several scholarships. Her first job was picking berries at Marshall’s berry farm for 60 cents a case, where she met Roy Watson, the boy she would later marry. As soon as she graduated high school, she went to work for the summer at the North Rim Restaurant at the Grand Canyon.
After she graduated high school, she never stopped learning and developing her talents. She was a budding poet, a seasoned musician who played the ukulele, french horn, piano, acoustic guitar, harmonica, and most importantly, cardboard box drums and kleenex box guitars that she lovingly made with her children. She was a songwriter, vocalist, painter, graphic design artist, scout and youth leader, a certified master gardener and herbalist, an EMT, and a lay midwife. She even delivered one of her grandchildren. She was also self-taught in animal husbandry and the study of edible mushrooms. In all areas of her life, she always found a way to appreciate and create beauty.
Doril married Roy Allen Watson, Sr. on December 4, 1954, and they were later sealed in the Manti Utah Temple. They moved to Winnemucca, Nevada, and lived on the Printiss Ranch, where their first child was born. Shortly after, they moved to Provo, Utah, where six additional children were born. They then moved their growing family to Las Vegas for a short stint. In about 1966, they moved back to Utah into their home in Pleasant Grove, where the remaining four children joined the family. After all the children were grown except “the four little ones,” they moved to Riggins, Idaho, and made their home on the Salmon River until 1988, then they returned to Provo, Utah. When people ask Doril if she traveled, she would say, “I’ve been around the world many times in the National Geographic Magazine. It’s the best way to explore the world when you can’t afford a ticket.”
Doril served a 2 year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2007-2009 as the 1st Naturalist at Heber Valley Camp & served during the Winter months of those years in addition after her mission, as a para professional at Dan Peterson school in American Fork.
She was truly an earth angel; she epitomized empathy and compassionate service. She was a brilliant, determined, and resourceful woman who taught her children to adapt, improvise, and persevere. Doril’s children know that she could have become ANYTHING in the world, but she CHOSE to be their HALLMARK MOTHER. If time allowed, so MUCH more could be shared about their Angel Mother’s abilities, gifts, talents, her love of her fellow sojourners, and especially her love of her Savior.
Doril is survived by her 11 children: Mary Fugal (Tony-deceased), Roy Watson, Jr. (Jerna), Martha Phelon (Stephen Sr.), Debany Henriksen (Bruce), John Watson (Elaine), Richard “Craig” Watson , Wendy Farnsworth (Steven), Steven Watson (Beckyann), Necia Clark, Bill Watson (Aurora Phuong), Crystal Norton (Jeff); 73 plus grandchildren, 135 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. She is also survived by three sisters, Colleen Sorenson, Ruth Nelson, and MaryLynn Bucklew, and two brothers; Earl Madsen Woolley (Anita), Alan Woolley (Lynette), as well as a large number of adoring nieces and nephews, and other extended family members.
She was preceded in death by two young sisters, Susie and an infant, her parents Fern and Earl, a grandson David James Norton, granddaughter Christina Rose Watson, several stillborn grandchildren, and other extended family members, too numerous to name.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the numerous caregivers, doctors, nurses, medical staff, friends, and neighbors who assisted and cared for Doril. They would like everyone to know they could not have aged their mother without her village. They sincerely hope you felt, remember, and share with the world her loving, generous, & sometimes spunky spirit to honor her.
Services to honor our Beloved Mother will be held Thursday, September 29th, at 11:00 am, at the American Fork 27th Ward, 165 North 350 West, American Fork, Utah, where Viewings will be held Wednesday, September 28th from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm and prior to services on Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Interment in Pleasant Grove City Cemetery. Click on the following link to view services via live stream: https://my.gather.app/remember/doril-watson Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.uvfuneral.com.
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