Dolly Plumb, a longtime Democratic Party activist who earned the nickname "mother of the party," died Wednesday, May 23, 1990, of cancer. She was 65.
Mrs. Plumb's political involvement began in 1968. During her career she worked for Sen. Ted Moss, Mayor Ted Wilson, Mayor Palmer DePaulis and Rep. Wayne Owens.Ted Wilson, former Salt Lake mayor who employed Mrs. Plumb as his administrative assistant, said she was famous for her "granny talks."
Wilson said that when he was acting in an arrogant manner, Mrs. Plumb would confront him. "Then she would just literally give me hell in the sweetest, nicest way.
"And I can't remember one of those granny talks that she didn't win."
Besides her job in City Hall, Mrs. Plumb managed three of Wilson's campaigns and served as state director of Moss' office. "She was bright," Wilson said. "She could do it all."
Moss said Mrs. Plumb was a dear friend. "No person could have been more able and perceptive than was Dolly."
Mrs. Plumb was a native of Fulton, Ill. She had four sons, one daughter and 20 grandchildren. She was active in the LDS Church and served as a volunteer at the Beehive House.
The funeral will be at noon, Tuesday, May 29. Friends may call an hour before at the LDS Church Valley View Stake Center, 1445 E. 3900 South, or from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S. Highland Drive.