Dona Lea Brian of Payson, Utah died peacefully at Mountain View Hospital on March 9, 2021. Dona was born in Visalia, California on November 28, 1932 to Harvey Earl Little and Thelma Eliza Wilson. Dona married Earrel Dean Brian on January 16, 1953 in the Manti Temple. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2003, Dean passed away shortly after on November 28, 2003. Together they had 7 children; Jerry (Natalie) Brian, LoraLea (Kim) Mock, Maylan (Corina) Brian, Lisa, Scott, Chad (Kim) Brian and Brad (Aimee) Brian. She also had 18 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
Dona was raised in California and moved to Utah when she met and married Dean. Some of her favorite memories growing up were going camping with her family in the mountains and going to the coast. She was the second of 5 children (George, Nadine, Lloyd and Keith). She had a great love for her parents and her family.
Dona married Dean while he was in the US Air Force. They spent time living in Las Vegas, Cedar City, Monticello, Hanksville, Springville and Payson. While in Springville Dona worked as an office manager for Dean’s State Farm Insurance Office. Together, Dean and Dona enjoyed race horses, deer hunts and traveling, especially to Lake Powell where they owned a share in the Powelligator.
After Dean passed, Dona bought a home in Torrey where she spent a lot of her time. She loved the beauty of Torrey and all the friends and family she had there. Dona served an LDS mission in New Mexico, where she made many new friends, learned new skills and had wonderful spiritual experiences. She was a life long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and she held many callings and served faithfully. Dona was very creative and she loved to quilt and write poetry. She was a very important part of the Peteetneet Museum Quilt Show in Payson for many years. She worked very hard on every show and also made the most beautiful quilts. Dona was adventurous and loved to travel with her kids and grandkids.
Dona will be remembered as a loving and fun mother, grandmother and friend who would do anything for anyone. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, hard work and service. She will be welcomed with open arms by her husband (Dean), two children (Lisa and Scott), a grandchild (Jake), a great grandchild (Vince), parents (Harvey, Thelma, Arthur and Wilma) and numerous siblings and friends who preceded her in death. What a great reunion it will be. Although we will miss her terribly, we are so grateful that she is finally reunited with the love of her life.
Funeral services will be held at The LDS Church (780 West 500 South, Payson) on Saturday March 20, 2021 at 10:00 am. A private family viewing will be held prior at 9:00 am. After the funeral services, graveside services will be held at the LOA, Utah cemetery at 3:00 pm.
Mother’s Mirror
By: Dona Brian
I look in the mirror, and what do I see?
A daughter of God is looking at me.
I am a beautiful child of royal birth.
I am seeking to prove my Eternal worth.
I look in the mirror, and what do I see?
A mother with small children smiling at me.
My days are so full from morning ‘till night.
Yet, what could be sweeter or seem so right?
I look in the mirror, and what do I see?
An older grandmother is looking at me.
A life filled with family, friends and love.
I’m ever so blessed by my Father above.
As I look through the mirror into Eternity.
I see even more blessings are waiting for me.
A daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, friend,
With a bright future of life and joy without end.
Broadcast event: March 20 Dona Brian funeral service
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