Dorothea was born on October 30, 1961, in Twin Falls, Idaho, to Howard and May Peck. She graduated from Minico High School in 1980, and then went on to graduate from Brigham Young University in 1987 with her bachelor’s of science in psychology, and in 1989 with a Master of Library and Information Sciences.

In her younger years, Dorothea was known as a loyal and fun friend to classmates, especially enjoying her time on Minico’s drill team and powder puff football team. In college she enjoyed working at the BYU Harold B. Lee Library and receiving “Gold” in American style ballroom dance.

Dorothea served an LDS mission in Houston, Texas, from 1983-1985 where she developed a deep love for Texas and Southern food, and a strong disdain for cockroaches. She loved to share her rich, faith filled experiences she had there.

Dorothea met her beloved eternal companion, Richard Kerby Hodson, in a BYU ballroom class, and they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on May 20, 1988. Together they had seven children between 1989 and 2002.

Though her favorite church callings were as primary teacher, primary chorister, and stake Sunday school secretary, she always felt her highest calling was as a mother. Her protective, caring, and stubborn nature made her a force to be reckoned with when education, bullies, and health insurance were involved. Her children will always remember how she was always ready to validate her children and could make each one feel truly seen.

She felt particularly proud that five of her seven children served LDS missions and all seven were sealed to their companions in the temple. She also loved that all of her children hold college degrees.

In her later years, she felt incredibly blessed to be a grandmother to 13 grandchildren and a few fur babies. She loved hearing about each one of their lives and offering snuggles at any time. She loved supporting her grandkids at soccer games, concerts, birthdays, or wherever she could be invited.

Dorothea was devoted to her work for the Provo Library, aiding with the move to it’s current location. She enjoyed volunteering as Pleasant Grove City’s “swim team mom” while her kids participated in summer swim. Dorothea later loved working for Pleasant Grove City at the front desk at both the pool and the recreation center while her kids lifeguarded, taught swim lessons, worked the front desk, and led children’s camps. She loved working near, and even with, her kids for several years. She then found fulfillment working as a security guard where she was a devoted worker and a kind friend to all those she met, and was known to make those around her feel seen and loved.

She had a deep love for her family and her ancestry. She would say her best friends in her life were her sisters and her mother. She felt immense gratitude to be the child who was able to care for their mother, May, from 2010 until her death in 2012.

She was distinctly grateful to live a lifelong dream to visit England with her husband in the summer of 2001 to visit distant relatives and find headstones of her ancestors. She loved telling stories about relatives and relishing in ancient family gossip.

Anyone that invited her to any life event knew they’d have an expertly crocheted masterpiece of an afghan, scarf, “hot pads”, etc. and we are grateful for the priceless mementos of her love. No number of words can express the deep and crushing grief we feel at the loss of such an amazing and sassy woman in our lives. The hole in our hearts she has left is almost as vast as her abiding love.

Dorothea was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and May Peck, and her sister, Sandra “Sandie” Peck.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Hodson, her remaining 4 siblings and their families (Karl Peck, Peggy Knopp, Celia Parks, and Phyllis Miller), and her children and their families: Aubrie (Willis) Rich, Kerby (Matheu) May, Alexa (Reed) Reimschussel, Adam (Kaedee) Hodson, Jacob (Bailey) Hodson, Jonathan (Kate) Hodson, and Emma (Mason) Jackson.

An Evening Viewing will be held on Friday, October 16, from 6-8:30 p.m. at Utah Valley Mortuary, located at 1966 West 700 North Lindon, UT 84042.

An additional viewing will be held on Saturday, October 17, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the funeral at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 825 South Loader Ave Pleasant Grove, UT 84062. Interment will take place at East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery (carpooling recommended).

Funeral Arrangements are entrusted to Utah Valley Mortuary of Lindon, Utah. utahvalleymortuary.com