Roberta Mae Pitt Dunsmore passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren on Feb. 29, 2024, after suffering a stroke a few days earlier. She was lovingly cared for during her final hours by her own private nursing staff: daughter Lori Dunsmore, grandson Michael Dunsmore and granddaughters Nicole Behunin, Rachael Thurgood and Kari Torgersen.
Roberta was born to Vida Asay and Ernest Pitt and was the third of seven children. Roberta was born at exactly midnight on April 17, 1940, in her grandmother’s home in Lovell, Wyoming. Dr. Tom asked Roberta’s mother what day she would like the baby’s birthday. Her mother chose April 17, but the nurse recorded April 16 on the birth certificate. Roberta always celebrated her birthday on April 17 until she was applying for a passport as an adult and found her birth certificate had April 16.
She was raised near the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming and developed a love for being outside, especially in the mountains. She graduated from Lovell High School, married Clyde Heath (later divorced) and then Melvin Dunsmore (later divorced) and had five children.
She loved the color red, going so far as to have a kitchen with red appliances and a red sink. She also loved convertibles and would give anyone a ride, whether they asked for one or not. She always drove on an empty tank, and there were many times when family, friends, or strangers pushed her to the gas station, where she would dig through her purse full of loose change to pay for the gas.
She was amazingly talented and could do almost any craft and was known for her beautiful ceramics. She could paint eyelashes on porcelain dolls and make them look completely realistic. She started her own ceramics business in the early 1970s in Salt Lake City, then later moved her business to Heber City, Utah. She made many lifelong friends and supported all her children as they served missions all over the world for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and furthered their education.
She was also called on a mission in 1993, originally to Columbus, Ohio, but then her call was changed to serve in the Portland Oregon Mission. From there, she was transferred to the Richmond Virginia Mission. After returning home, she later sold her home in Heber City and moved to Hurricane, Utah, and began learning more about her newfound love of quilting.
She had a strong, unshakeable faith in her Savior and Heavenly Father. She personally knew of Christ’s atoning power and grace. She held many callings and served faithfully throughout her life in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had a strong love for her family and would do anything for them. She always opened her home and her heart to others, including regularly hosting extended family gatherings. Many people – both children and adults – adopted Roberta as their own loving mom and grandma. She always made people feel welcomed and loved and was always the first to say, “I can help with that,” even as her health declined. Her family will miss their beloved Mom, Grandma, Grandma Doll, Grams, Granny and Aunt Bert.
She is preceded in death by her mother Vida; two brothers Wallace and Edward; sister Myrna; and great-grandson Shawn.
She is survived by her sisters Patsy Olsen, Janet Boer, and Mary Dee Cox; children Wallace (Judy) Dunsmore of Arcadia, Utah; Lisa (Tony) Mackey of Hurricane, Utah; Catherine (Terry) Reynolds of Hurricane, Utah; Lori Dunsmore of Hurricane, Utah; and Lynne (Troy) Torgersen of Monroe, Utah; 18 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.
There will be a celebration of life for friends and family on Friday, March 15, at 6 p.m. at the Red Brick church located at 274 South 100 West., Hurricane Utah.
The family will hold a graveside service on Saturday, March 16, at 1 p.m. at the Heber City Cemetery, 680 North 550 East, with a celebration of life to follow at the church located at 1365 East Center St. in Heber City, Utah.
Arrangements are under the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. Click here to visit the Metcalf Mortuary website for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.