Dolores (Dee) Briggs Thomas Obituary (1927

Ethel Dolores (Dee) Spencer Briggs Thomas, our spunky mother, grandma, and great-grandma passed away the 20th of May 2015 at her home. She was 87. The child of Christine (Tissie) and Herbert Spencer, she grew up in Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada. She married Fred Azer Briggs in Williams Lake, and they were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they raised six beautiful children. After our dad passed away, Dee married Reed Thomas. She is survived by her 5 children, Robert (Julia), Luanne (Scott) Savage, Mark (Christine), Kay (Rick) Berry, and Curtis (Cristie) Briggs. 29 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren, and two on the way. Dee was preceded by one son, Christopher Fred Briggs, her sister Kathleen, her brother Robert, her husband, Fred, her parents, step-father, Naussau Sutton, and our step-father, Reed. Dee was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served for many years as Young Women’s President, camp director, Regional Sports Director, and choir. She loved writing Road Shows and working with the youth. She was gifted in the arts: painting, sketching, crewel embroidery, and needlepoint. Always an individualist, she had unique handwriting, and she wrote letters to many expressing kind words, praise, and inspiring quotes. Receiving a letter from our mother was priceless. She faithfully wrote to each grandchild every week while they served their missions. In addition, she took pride in making handmade birthday cards, and took an interest in each grandchild and their talents. Mom opened her home to many nieces and nephews, and considered them part of her immediate family. In later years, Fred and Dee served an LDS mission to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She had a testimony of Jesus Christ and read the Book of Mormon over and over again. For Fred and Dee, skiing became a passion. She was a ski instructor for Brighton Ski school for ten years. Her passion turned to tennis where she was fiercely competitive, and started competing in the Huntsman Senior Games, and achieved three gold medals. With her 2nd marriage to Reed, they competed in games throughout the inter-mountain west. She referred to Reed as her “coach” as he mentored her at age 75 in taking up track and field events. Reed taught her how to compete in throwing the discus, shot put, and javelin, and other events. Proudly, they served as Ambassadors for the World Senior Games. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday May 23 in St. George at Sunset Stake Center 100 No. Dixie Dr. Viewing from 10:00-10:45. Another viewing will be held on Wednesday May 27th in Salt Lake City for family and friends from 10:00-10:45 at the Milo Way Chapel 2625 East Milo Way, Holladay, Utah, 84117. Funeral services will begin at 11:00. We love you mother! Please share condolences and memories at www.serenitystg.com.