Dora Jean Cherry

Dora Jean Park Cherry
Dora Jean Park Cherry, 91, peacefully passed away on January 1, 2025, at home, surrounded by her family. She was born on August 30, 1933, in Nephi, Utah to David Ralph Park and Edith Andrews Park. She was the youngest of three children.
Jean was raised on a farm where she learned to love farm life as well as the value of hard work and self-reliance. As a result, she became resourceful and independent. She talked often of these wonderful experiences she had as a young girl with her parents, older brother Roscoe and Sister Ilene. She valued her heritage and family and did her best to pass on memories, traditions, and wisdom. She held dear to a saying that hung on the wall in her home, "On a farm so long ago... all my fondest memories grow."
She loved digging in the dirt. This was evident in the way she kept an immaculate yard throughout her life. This was a lesson that she taught to her children and grandchildren. All her grandsons would recount memories of warm summer days perfecting their lawn mowing skills in her yard under her meticulous guidance. Their hard work was always rewarded with a milk nickel and a porch chat. Her children would say that she was an amazing woman who worked hard, was tough as nails, yet remained their sweet "angel mother".
Jean attended Snow College in Ephraim, Utah where she received an associate's degree. She had many fond memories and stories from this time of life with friends. While there, she met Clair Cherry and they were married on September 15, 1956, in the Manti, Utah Temple. They welcomed a son, Scott Cherry and a daughter, Leslie Jean Cherry (Rife) into their family. Her values, skills, and testimony were tested when she was left alone after a divorce to provide for and raise her two children. She constantly worked, prepared, scrimped, and saved to ensure her children were cared for. Jean literally wasted and wore out her life providing, nurturing, and sacrificing for those she loved.
Jean had a wonderful career working at First Security Bank, both in Nephi and in Provo. She later worked for Provo School District, at Grandview Elementary school in the library for 13 years. Following this employment, she worked at Brigham Young University for 16 years, where she enjoyed her work as well as the many lasting friendships she made. While there she became an avid Cougar sports fan for the remainder of her life. "Go Cougs!" After retirement Jean loved spending more time with family and working in the Provo Temple - where she served for 18 years.
Jean cherished her membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and always placed the highest priority on family. She passionately instilled the gospel within the lives of her son and daughter which carried on to her grandchildren. By example, Jean faithfully taught of the love she had for her Heavenly Father. She frequently recounted the miracles she had seen in her life and expressed gratitude for her many blessings. During her life she served in various callings within the church. One of her favorite callings was serving in the Relief Society at Cove Point.
Family was of utmost importance to her. Some of her most treasured memories with her family, included her warm homemade bread on Sundays after church, holiday get-togethers, her famous pink sugar cookies, birthday celebrations and visits with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her two children and their spouses, Scott & Susie Cherry, Leslie Jean & Steve Rife, 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren and nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents (David Ralph Park and Edith Andrews), brother (Roscoe Park), sister (Ilene Park Anderson) and one grandchild (Mitchell Morrell Cherry).
Jean's family will miss her dearly and could write volumes about her full life and her influence for good. More than anything her desire would be to be remembered for her love of her Heavenly Father, love of the gospel and love of her family.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday January 11, 2025 at 11:00am at the Grandview 5th ward building, 1555 N. 1350 W., Provo, Utah. Viewings will be held at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 E. 800 N. Orem Utah on Friday, January 10, 2025 from 6-8:00 pm and at the church on Saturday morning from 9:30 -10:45 am prior to services. The funeral service will be streamed on the following link: https://zoom.us/j/.91357968167 Meeting ID: 91357968167
Interment will be at the Nephi City Cemetery