Vivian Gardner Jones

Vivian Gardner Jones beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 2nd at the age of 92.She was born on November 5, 1931 in Grover, Wyoming, in an old log house. She was the third of eight children born to Delos and Lorean Gardner. 

She graduated with honors from Star Valley High and received a scholarship to University of Wyoming, where she was part of the first nursing class and graduated with honors in 1954. 

While in college she was honored to be National Vice President of Lambda Delta Sigma Sorority. During her time at the university, she met Woodford Wilkerson Jones. Shortly after they met, he was drafted in the army and stationed at Camp Chafee in Arkansas. He asked her to come see him. During a snowy November, she traveled on a bus to Arkansas and while there got engaged. 

They were married on May 29, 1953, in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Their first year of marriage Woody was deployed to Germany. Vivian remained in Laramie finishing her Nursing degree and working at the Iverson Memorial Hospital. Brad was born in Laramie in 1955 and 3 months later they settled in Casper, Wyoming, where she was a nurse at the Natrona County Hospital. They welcomed children Cynthia, and Sharon. In addition to their joys, they also faced heartbreaking loss, including the passing of their son Kyle at birth in 1963.

Woody accepted a job in 1966 with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which led them to Bountiful, Utah. She worked and taught nursing at St Marks in Salt Lake City for several years then finished her nursing career at Lakeview Hospital in Bountiful. 

They experienced another profound loss with the passing of their daughter Karla, also at birth. Their lives were brightened by the arrival of their sixth child, Tony in 1973.

Throughout her life, Vivian was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served in many callings but loved her service as ward and stake choir director. She loved music and played the Oboe in high school. She had a beautiful singing voice and shared that talent often. Her favorite vocal artist was Alfie Boe. Vivian bravely battled and survived breast cancer. Her testimony was a comfort to her during this time.  

She had a talent for writing and self-published a collection of her poems in a book dedicated to her 13 grandchildren. "13 is my Lucky Number" She inspired her children and grandchildren with her creativity. Her writings and poetry were a result of a lifetime of experiences. Grandma, we were the Lucky Ones!

She had a lifelong love for sports, especially BYU athletics, though she did have a soft spot for the Wyoming Cowboys. Throughout her life, she attended countless sporting events and other performances of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She cherished her large extended family staying connected with her 66 cousins, nieces, and nephews. Vivian leaves behind a legacy of faith, strength, resilience, and love for her family and community. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. 

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Woodford, her parents Delos and Lorean, her siblings Delworth, Nola Jean, LaNiel, Hank, Julia. 

She is survived by children Brad (Neola) Jones, Cynthia (Mark) Hepworth, Sharon Dehart and Tony (Danyal) Jones and her two sibling's Marjorie (William) Bradshaw, Joel (Joyce)Gardner, Sister- in- law Harriett Paris, 13 grandchildren, 4 step grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 11 am at the Centerville Deuel Creek Ward, 690 N 400 W Centerville, Utah, where a viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 am prior to services.

Services will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and this obituary page.

Interment will be held at the Afton Cemetery, July 1, 2024 at 11:00 am.