Dorothy Jean Hurst August 10, 1935 - January 7, 2025

Dorothy Jean Allen Hurst passed away peacefully on January 7, 2025, at the age of 89, at the Hearthstone Manor in Spanish Fork, UT.

Born on August 10, 1935, in Fillmore, UT, Dorothy often shared the unique story of being born on her Grandma Julia Vilate Carling’s bed. She was the first-born child of Rial Aaron Allen and Leora Carling Allen. Growing up in Fillmore, Dorothy cherished the close-knit family environment and considered her cousins her friends. To this day, her cousin, Sharon Webster is still a close friend.

A talented musician and singer, Dorothy took piano lessons and, like her father, could play the piano by ear. She also played the French horn for six years in the school band. Dorothy participated in every play, assembly, and musical possible, and had fond memories of starring in the middle school production of Angel Brats, where she humorously played ‘Dodo.’ She had a lifelong love for roller skating and especially figure skating.

Her life was rich with interesting experiences. After graduating from Millard High School in 1953, she moved to Salt Lake City, where she lived at the Beehive House, a boarding house for girls at the time, and attended Stevens-Henager Business College. Although she earned a scholarship to the University of Utah, she eventually chose Brigham Young University, she said to “catch a man”, where she majored in Human Development and Family Relationships.

After moving out, Dorothy explored various jobs, seeking to discover where she belonged. Her passion for architecture led her to work with Ashworth Architects as a secretary, one of her favorite roles. She also worked at the Utah State Capital Building in the Vital Statistics Department, typing birth certificates. She also worked at Dugway Proving Grounds and Walker Bank in clerical roles. Her modeling stint began at Stephan’s Modeling School, where she appeared on TV in swimsuits, showcasing her beauty. Though she aspired to sketch fashion for department stores, she often ended up modeling clothes instead. At the University of Utah, she worked as a draftsman under LDS author Alice Morey Bailey, who took a special interest in her. Moving to Provo to attend BYU, Dorothy worked for an insurance company, the BYU Health Center, even acting as a pharmacist during a Hong Kong flu outbreak, and in President Wilkinson’s office one summer as the secretary to his secretary. She found the experience fascinating.

Dorothy had a deep love for dancing, particularly Tap and the Jitterbug. In the fall of 1956, she joined the BYU Rockettes, where she performed for two years. According to one source, it was during a Rockettes performance that Paul Junior Hurst saw her for the first time. During the Christmas break of 1957, they had their first date. This eventually led to their engagement on March 2, 1958, and they married shortly after at his parents’ house in Payson Utah on September 26, 1958. Later, they were sealed in the Los Angeles LDS Temple in 1964. Paul and Dorothy were married for a wonderful 46 years and 5 months, and Dorothy was disappointed that they didn’t make it to their 50th.

Dorothy had a love of drawing and architecture. If you knew her well, you knew that she frequently sketched plans for her dream homes. She always had an idea on how to build something better. Organization was her life’s mission, often returning from BYU Education Week with new chore charts that her children lovingly “appreciated”. Gardening was another of her passions, with her rose garden being her pride and joy. She dedicated countless hours to nurturing and watching it bloom over the years. Despite her love for gardening, she often ended up with a weed garden after months of neglect. Her son John-Paul was always willing to plant a garden for her, even though she struggled to maintain it.

She loved hosting Halloween parties for both her ward and family. Dorothy’s collection of costumes was often used at her Halloween parties, sometimes at the dismay of her family. Showing up without a costume meant she had one for you. Her favorite costume to dress up as was a witch.

At Christmas time, her home was a winter wonderland. She particularly loved her Christmas village, as long as someone else put it up. She had many “Christmas” trees all around her home, each with a specific theme. These “Christmas” trees stayed up year-round acting as a holiday calendar for those visiting her home. She especially loved singing with her beautiful soprano voice in the ward choir. The highlight of her year was being a part of the ward’s Christmas concert.

Dorothy had a sweet tooth for ice cream, chocolate, and pecan pie. She pretended she preferred fruits and vegetables (in season, of course) over sweets. She always enjoyed a fatty steak or pork chop, cooked in bacon grease, and paired with “Payson” water.

Dorothy, a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, served in many callings throughout her life, such as Primary teacher, Den Mother, Young Women’s, and Relief Society teacher. One of her final callings, and perhaps the most entertaining, was being the designated ‘joke teller’ at the start of each Sunday School class. She truly enjoyed this fun and lighthearted role. She loved sharing her testimony of Jesus Christ and would share it often, even with a random salesperson at her door.

A vibrant, loving, and dedicated mother, grandmother, and friend, Dorothy’s favorite place in the world was wherever her family was. She cherished playing games with them, especially Pictionary, Scattergories, and Balderdash. Dorothy will be remembered for her indomitable spirit, boundless creativity, and unwavering love for her family and Savior. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, and countless cherished memories.

Dorothy and Paul raised twelve children, fostering in them strong values, faith, and a love for family traditions. One beloved tradition is the annual Hurst Family Campout, where nearly 100 family members gather each year to enjoy each other’s company and have a fantastic time. Their children were their pride and joy and Dorothy’s jewels in her crown.

She is survived by her twelve children – Kym Hurst Ney, Robyn (Rodney Higginson), Michael (Becky Johnson), Sonya (Timothy Jeffcoat), Lisa (Daniel Whatcott), Scott (Jana Capener), Julie (Val Morris), Shelly (Thomas Lonni), John-Paul (Annie Fulmer), Heidi (Darrick Hall), Jayson (Felisha Rova), and Lori Ann Hurst Aagard.

Forty grandchildren: Brandon (Bethany) Gull, Lacy (Dean) Evans, Jamie Ney, Derek (Janelle) Ney, Lyndsie (Spencer) Weber, Kevin (Rachel) Higginson, Melinda (Dusty) Peterson, Kyle (Stacy) Higginson, Craig Higginson, Shauna Hurst, Cindy (Morgan Smart) Hurst, Ryan (Gina Sombatsaphay) Hurst, Claire Hurst, Chandler Jeffcoat, Savannah Jeffcoat, Justin Whatcott, Candice Whatcott, Katrina Whatcott, Whitney (Rolf Hackler) Hurst, Karlee (Tommy) Stewart, Jared (Shelby) Hurst, Nathan Hurst, Allison (Alex) Harbertson, Raschel (Brad) Simons, Brittany (Corbin) Critchfield, Jeremy (Charlie) Benson, Zachary Morris, Natasha (Carson) Bateman, Alyssa Lonni, Hannah Hurst, Jacob Hurst, Jenny Hurst, Jessica Hall, Nicole Hall, Katelynn Hurst, Amelia Hurst, Preston Hurst, Brinlee Hurst, Conner Hurst, and Kadence Aagard.

Thirty-two great-grandchildren with two more on the way; and one great-great-grandchild, with another on the way.

Dorothy is also survived by her brother James Allen.

She was preceded in death by her husband Paul Hurst, grandson Craig Higginson, parents Rial and Leora Allen, sister Virginia Larson, and brother Duane Allen.

The family would like to thank the hospice workers at Tender Care, especially Natty, for their love and patience in taking care of Dorothy in her final months. We appreciate the staff of Hearthstone Manor, Salem Beehive, and Legacy House of Spanish Fork.

To really know her is to love her.

A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 780 West 500 South in Payson, UT. Visitation will be prior from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, UT.