Dorene Brimhall Jennings

Dorene Jennings, our fun-loving mama and granny, died on Friday, March 12th, at her home in Murray, Utah. Dorene passed away peacefully, with her daughters by her side, following a six-month battle with interstitial lung disease.

Dorene was born at the Old Miner’s Hospital in Park City, Utah on January 27, 1938 to Alex and Edna Simmons. She was the oldest of five siblings and attended Murray High School where she met many lifelong friends. She was married to Larry Brimhall for 34 years. Together they raised four daughters, Laurie, Peggi, Jacqueline, and Angie. She later married her sweetheart, Gerald Jennings, and they shared 20 memorable years together before his death in 2017.

Dorene lived a life of service. She was compassionate and giving and ministered in many formal and informal capacities. She was a “pink lady” at the old Cottonwood Hospital, a board member for the Festival of Trees, a member of the PTA, Relief Society president, as well as a leader in other church and community callings. Dorene used her incredible patience as the constituent service representative for the Utah attorney general’s office, where she worked for 17 years under the terms of Paul Van Damm, Jan Graham, and Mark Shurtleff.

Dorene will be missed as a mother, someone whose dedication, selflessness, and concern for her daughters carried right up to her very last breath. Dorene created the happiest of households and loved to have her family together. She made sandwiches for visitors and always ensured that her candy jars were well-stocked. She hosted a weekly Sunday dinner for many, many years, and she took great pride in setting a beautiful table. Her collection of dishes is seasonal and robust. Her daughters recall entertaining and joy-filled times. Dorene could make anyone laugh, especially her girls, and her deep smile is something that will be truly missed. As a mother, Dorene was unwavering in her devotion to her girls. She saw the good in all people—there was always room for another place at her table. She was loyal and gracious and graceful.

She will also be missed as a grandmother—indeed, she was our “Granny.” Dorene kept a busy schedule attending events for each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a grandma who loved—and knew!—her sports and could always be heard cheering at soccer, hockey, softball, and football games. She attended dance recitals and swim meets, orchestra concerts and cheer competitions. Her generosity manifested itself often in gift-giving and card-sending. She had a way of making each of her grandchildren feel special and seen.

She will be missed as a faithful sister, who as a child and youth, helped guide her family with laughter and joy. Her siblings were her best friends, especially her sisters. They describe her as gracious and giving, an earthly angel who was the life of the party. She will be missed as a friend. It’s often said that Dorene never met a stranger. She loved people, she had the gift of gab, and spent countless hours talking with her friends over long dinners and telephone calls. Dorene loved to travel and enjoyed cruising with her group of friends. She and Jerry purchased a home in St. George where their friend associations from Murray continued in the warmer climate.

She will be missed by everyone who knew her in every activity and conversation that will take place without her. Dorene found joy in flowers and in her backyard. She nicknamed herself “Jazz Granny” and watched every Jazz game with enthusiasm. She enjoyed the collections she grew over the years—dishes and Beanie Babies, Coke memorabilia, thimbles, pins, and Department 56 snow villages. She loved to shop and dine, buying this and that, for friends and family along the way. She loved jewelry and fashion and make-up, and in her final days, found great comfort in that routine. She was the essence of a lady and embodied a classiness that is becoming ever more difficult to find.

Dorene loved holidays and saw them for what they were—“holy days” meant to be celebrated. She cut flowers and visited with friends, both earthly and heavenly, at the Murray City Cemetery each Memorial Day. She decorated her home seasonally and has a collection of holiday-themed knick-knacks that will continued to be passed down. Dorene’s mother, Edna, was a red-headed Irish twin born on St. Patrick’s Day. Naturally, this became Dorene’s favorite holiday. It was a day that she always looked forward to. To honor this legacy, we will celebrate Dorene’s life on St. Patrick’s Day—Wednesday, March 17, 2021. The family encourages those in attendance to wear green.

Dorene is survived by her daughters: Laurie (Mike) Blanchard, Peggi (Bill) Blackman, Jacqueline McHenry (Kelly Enniss), and Angela (Rick Wilson). Siblings Connie Peterson, Lexie Anderson, and Willis Simmons. Step-daughters Cindy (Dave) Knudsen, Lori Romero (Jim Lawson), Corinne (Terry) Reynolds, and Jerilee (Shane) Phillips, as well as 10 grandchildren, 17 step-grandchildren, 41 combined great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her cherished chihuahuas, her “angel babies,” Minnie and Mr. Barker. Dorene is preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Jennings; parents, Alex and Edna Simmons; sister, Beth Vance; brothers-in-law, Richard Vance and Albert Peterson; and grandson, Jeremy Horejs.

In Dorene’s final days, she spent her time comforting those who would mourn her passing. She would surely have given special thanks to those who cared for her so selflessly. To her daughters, who offered round-the-clock care once her diagnosis turned terminal. To Kelly Enniss for tending to her—and her dogs’—every need. To Community Nursing Services, particularly the kind and loving attention provided by Susan, Craig, Joan, John, Leslie, Gena, Jimmy, and Matt.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 11:00 am at Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home; 4760 South State Street, Murray, Utah 84107. Friends and family are invited to call at 10:00 am. Social distancing and masks required. Internment Murray City Cemetery.

Online condolences may be shared, and a virtual service may be viewed, at www.jenkins-soffe.com.