Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Bicknell, Utah – Our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend, Mary Jean "Jeannie" Chidester Griffin Dalton, died January 5, 2022, in Centerfield, Utah at the age of 89. She was born November 29, 1932, in Bicknell, Utah - 2 minutes before her twin brother John, the 6th of 7 children born to James Parker and Eliza Lucinda "Cindy" Smith Chidester.
She attended Wayne High School, where she was proud to have been voted head cheerleader.
Jeannie married Alvin Griffin of Escalante, Utah on May 5, 1950; they later divorced. They had 3 daughters: Vicky, Cindy, and Karma.
Jeannie attended Darrel's Cosmetology College in Salt Lake City and began her career as a cosmetologist licensed in both Utah and Wyoming,
Jeannie married Herbert J "Jack" Dalton (deceased) in 1962 in Thermopolis, Wyoming and made their home for the next fifty-plus years in Worland, Wyoming. They had a daughter Donna and a son John.
Jeannie spent most of her life in Wyoming, opening her own business, and raising her children. She moved back to Bicknell in 2014. Jeannie had a kind and giving heart. She loved to laugh. Her laughter and sense of humor will be missed. Like her mother before her, she was a beautiful seamstress until losing her eyesight to macular degeneration. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with her whole heart and was happiest when they were around. She loved music and never passed up an opportunity to dance – she was a very good dancer. She was not so crazy about cooking, but according to her daughters she made the best pumpkin pie "in the world", and her chicken soup with homemade noodles and mashed potatoes was always welcome comfort food. She leaves a hole in our hearts.
She is survived by her children Vicky Bower (Tom) of Bicknell, Utah, Karma Andricci (George McCabe) of Cody, Wyoming, Donna Dalton of Bicknell, Utah, and John Dalton of Worland, Wyoming; grandchildren: Seneca Hernandez of Colorado, Taylor K Taft, and Shirley Taft Morrill (Phyl) both of Bicknell, Utah, Alison Nelligan (Jeff) of Littleton, Colorado and Steven Bower (Elaine) of Belton, Texas; great-grandchildren: Hannah Morrill Burdett (Bennett) of Torrey, Utah, Ethan Morrill and Lilly Morrill both of Bicknell, Utah; Luke Nelligan, Clare Nelligan and Ty Nelligan all of Littleton, Colorado; Liam Bower of Belton, Texas, Kodi Taft, Odin Taft, and Griffin Taft, all of Hanksville, Utah.
She is preceded in death by her daughter Cindy Griffin Smith; parents: James P. and Cindy Chidester; and siblings: Colin (infant death), Smith, Gwen, Ross, Bernice, and twin brother John.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Mission at Community Rehab of Centerfield, Utah, and Gunnison Hospice for their tender care of Jeannie during her last years and days. Also, thanks to Springer Turner Funeral Home for all their help during this trying time.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association (act.alz.org).
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 1:00 P.M. where friends may visit with the family from 11:30 to 12:30 prior to the services.
Burial will be in the Bicknell Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.
On line guest book at: http://www.springerturner.com