Dorothy Bro

Dorothy was born on July 11, 1943, in South Shields, Durham, England, to Eleanor “Ella” Trotter and Henry “Harry” Wakefield. She grew up alongside her older sister Sheila and younger brother Harry. Both of her parents were blind, and some of Dorothy’s fondest childhood memories included participating with them in pantomimes presented by The Institute for the Blind in South Shields. She loved dancing and carried that playful spirit with her throughout her life.

An excellent student and lifelong learner, Dorothy earned a scholarship to attend an all-girls grammar and technical school, where she learned Pitman shorthand and other professional skills. At age 20, she embarked on a new adventure by moving to the United States to work as a nanny. She greatly enjoyed caring for three children on Long Island, New York. While there, she met Charles Bro, the love of her life.

Dorothy and Charles shared a deep love and commitment to one another and enjoyed 60 years of marriage. Having been sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple, Dorothy took great comfort in the knowledge that their bond would endure beyond death. Together they built a life that took them from England to Seattle, Utah, Kansas City, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and ultimately Florida, where they settled in 1999. Dorothy became a proud citizen of the United States in 1997 while never losing her affection for England.

Dorothy had a fascinating array of jobs, including working at a brewery, a children's hospital, and later for a local electric utility in the engineering department doing computer mapping. She was also a two-time cancer survivor. Throughout those challenges, she faced life with the same faith, positivity, and cheerful determination that were the hallmarks of her character. She considered her greatest roles to be those of wife, mother, and homemaker. She was devoted to her family and poured her energy into creating a home filled with love, laughter, faith, and fun.

She loved turning ordinary days into memorable adventures. When her children were young, the family often made long road trips across the country to visit family in Seattle. Dorothy carefully wrapped small gifts for each child to open along the way, transforming hours in the car into a treasure-filled journey.

As her family grew, so did her traditions. She created elaborate trails with rhyming clues that led children and grandchildren all over the house before ending at a present or a homemade treat. She delighted in seeing their excitement and loved being part of the fun herself.

One of her most beloved traditions was the annual Halloween “Spook Supper.” Family members ordered dinner from a menu of mysterious items with names like “Tumbled Tombstones” and “Goblin’s Breath,” never knowing what food or utensil they had actually selected. Meals arrived in courses, often in unexpected order, making every Spook Supper an evening of laughter and surprises. The tradition became so treasured that some of her children and grandchildren continue it today with their own families and friends.

Dorothy also shared the traditions of her English upbringing. Christmas crackers became a cherished part of family holiday celebrations, and she loved distributing pocket money to her grandchildren. Thankfully, she also ensured that generations of family members know that British chocolate is far superior to its American counterpart. Hershey’s chocolate was banned from her house without exception.

Dorothy was famous for her homemade chocolate chip cookies, made with her secret ingredient: orange extract instead of vanilla. Family members, neighborhood children, and countless friends eagerly anticipated them. One former neighborhood child fondly remembered that whenever kids got into an argument, Dorothy would sit them down in the kitchen, bake cookies, and make them eat together until peace was restored. Her cookies even became a secret weapon in Charles’s pharmaceutical sales career, often disappearing first from the lunches he took to medical offices.

More than anything, Dorothy loved her family. She was playful with her grandchildren, often arriving with wrapped gifts and toys they could enjoy together. She believed wholeheartedly in her children and grandchildren and thought they were absolutely perfect. Even when presented with evidence to the contrary, she remained unconvinced.

The foundation upon which everything in Dorothy’s life was built was her faith. A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served faithfully throughout her life in many capacities, including Stake Missionary, Primary Teacher, Sunday School Teacher, Primary Presidency member, Teacher Development Instructor, Seminary Teacher, Institute Teacher, and Ministering Sister.

Even as age and declining mobility limited what she could physically do, Dorothy continued to serve. She sent cards and letters, made phone calls, and prayed daily by name for a long list of people she loved and cared about. Her faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ shaped every aspect of her life and sustained her through both joyful and difficult seasons.

Following the death of her son Layne in 2024, Dorothy continued to trust in the promises of the gospel and in the reality of eternal families. She did not fear death because she knew where she was going and looked forward to a joyful reunion with Layne, her brother Harry, and her dear parents.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, Charles Bro; her sister, Sheila; her children Darren (Becky), Galen, and Hayley (Ben); her daughter-in-law Heather; and her beloved grandchildren Jordan, Tyler (Caroline), Brickelle, Cayden (Emily), Hadley, Brody, Myles, Ellarie, and Macy. She was preceded in death by her son Layne and her brother Harry. She was also eagerly anticipating the arrival of twin great-grandsons due in October 2026.

Dorothy believed that family life should be enjoyed, not merely endured. She spent 82 years proving that joy does not happen by accident—it happens when someone decides to create it.

Her family will miss her positivity, her cheerful nature, her smile, her cookies, her treasure trails, her Christmas crackers, her Spook Suppers, and her road-trip presents.

Most of all, they will miss being loved by someone who loved so completely and believed so strongly in the people around her.

Dorothy’s legacy lives on in the faith she shared, the traditions she created, the family she cherished, and the countless happy memories she leaves behind.