Shirley B. Dobson

Shirley Louise Brower Dobson passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026, at the Utah Valley Hospital with her children at her side. She was 91.

The seventh of seven daughters, Shirley was born on July 18, 1934, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Ormus Earl Brower and Sarah L. Robinson Brower. She grew up in the small farming town of Flowell, Utah, in a modest home. There she learned the value of hard work while working with her family living off the land - raising chickens, turkeys, and running a dairy farm. She was a self-proclaimed “tomboy,” loved being outdoors and could often be found up in an apple tree with a book and a saltshaker in hand. 

She graduated from Millard High School in Fillmore, Utah, where she was a cheerleader and flute player in the band. Following high school, Shirley attended Utah State Agricultural College (now Utah State University) in Logan, Utah. Then on September 3, 1953, Shirley married her sweetheart, Lowell Dobson who was on furlough from the Army, in the living room of her parents’ home. After a honeymoon to the Grand Canyon, Lowell returned to base in Tacoma Washington, promising to send for Shirley. He did and she bravely boarded train on her solo trip to Tacoma, Washington. Thus began a lifetime of devotion, partnership and adventure. They and their children were sealed as a family in the Manti Temple on June 21, 1962.

Together, Shirley and Lowell made homes in Tacoma, Washington; Orem, Provo, and Spanish Fork, Utah. Then they built their dream home in the beautiful mountains of Covered Bridge Canyon, where they spent 35 wonderful years. In that beautiful canyon, they formed cherished friendships and created countless memories for their children, grandchildren and extended family. 

Shirley loved sewing. She made many of her children’s clothes, costumes, doll clothes and even beautiful hand stitched quilts which she lovingly gifted to family members as lasting expressions of her love. In later years, she loved making her homemade chocolates and doing puzzles. 

Known for her playful spirit and joyful heart, Shirley was a wonderful mother to her 5 children. She loved to laugh, had a sense of humor and delighted in playing with and teasing her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her home was a place of warmth, fun, and love. She found great joy in serving others—quietly, generously, and without expectation. Whether through acts of kindness, thoughtful gifts, or simply showing up when someone was in need, service was central to who she was.

A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Shirley served in many callings throughout her life including Scouting, Young Women’s, and Relief Society. Later in life, Shirley and Lowell served together as missionaries in the Nairobi Kenya Mission, as temple workers in Utah, and as Church Service Missionaries from their home. Her testimony of Jesus Christ was steady, sincere, and she emulated Him through lifelong service.

Shirley is survived by her children: Perry (Celeste) Dobson, Doug (Julie) Dobson, Tami (Dirk) Walk, Darwin (Jenny) Dobson, and Shaunda Osborn, as well as 21 grandchildren and 66 great-grandchildren, all of whom were deeply loved and cherished.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Lowell Dobson; and her sisters Zola, Darlene, Ruthmary, Naomi, Lucy Dawn, and Peggy (“Honey”).

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the Canyon Ward Chapel, 3477 E. River Bottoms Road, Spanish Fork, Utah, at 11:00 a.m. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the Holden Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the humanitarian or missionary fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

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