Doreen Iris Neal

Doreen Iris Neal was born on December 1, 1926 in Perth, Australia to Walter and Miriam Neal. She was the second oldest of 5 children. The Neal family did much to help establish The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the area. The family migrated to Utah in 1948 but Doreen at the age 22, was required to live in Canada until a visa could be acquired.

Doreen was a talented seamstress and designed and sewed clothing for many others. She later obtained schooling for and began a distinguished career as a Librarian in California at the University of Santa Barbara, where her expertise and reliability were well recognized by the medical professionals she served. Doctors would often come to her personally when they needed help on researching an issue.

After many years in the Library, she was exposed to Asbestos fibers causing an early medical retirement and respiratory ailments she suffered through for the remainder of her life.

Doreen took up genealogy and family history research which became her life’s passion and legacy. She moved back to Utah and went daily to the genealogy library, quickly becoming a resident expert never hesitating to help others.

Genealogy became her “mission” in this life and she served countless souls on both sides of the veil. It has often been said that the countless hosts of relatives of family and friends will celebrate her arrival on the other side of the veil and embrace her with great affection for the work she did for them here.

Doreen was preceded in death by her Parents, Walter and Miriam, and all of her siblings: Walter Douglas and Ailsa Neal, Kenneth and Rosa Neal: Thelma and Clinton Norton: and Audrey May Neal Pinkham.

Special thanks goes out to her extremely wonderful caregivers over the past few years: including her special friends at the Escalante Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; the totally awesome Connie Christopher, her hospice nurse, Jeanette, from Ashby Home and Hospice who was absolutely amazing over the past year; her brief but beautiful family at Brighton House; the helpful professionals and Escalante Draper; and her mortal angels from the Dong family, including a special friend in Laura.

A heartfelt thank you from Doreen’s family to each one of you (so many unnamed) who touched Doreen’s life for good!

A private funeral will be held for Doreen’s closest family and friends. Please contact the family for further details. Doreen will be interred at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park 3401 S Highland Dr, Millcreek, Utah 84106.