Vivian Rodriguez Smith

Vivian Rodriguez Smith made the world a better place when she was born on July 15, 1956, but she passed away on March 13, 2023, at home with family nearby after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Vivian is survived by her loving husband, David Kay Smith, children Steven Zekial Smith (Kari), Timothy Eldon Smith, Eric Michael Smith, and Alisha Kay Smith, grandchildren Zander Smith, Zaxton Smith, Sawyer Smith, and Luke Smith.

Vivian was truly one of the elite wonderful people in this world. She could light up your day with a smile and a wink of her eye. The eldest of four siblings, she was a happy child. She was active and involved in many different things. In high school, she was a member of the Ski Club, the West High Acapella Choir, and during her senior year at West High School, she was a member of the thirteen-member Dance Club 1974 and served as the President. After high school, she joined the James Mayer Choir where they would sing in Sacrament meetings. She loved to perform.

Vivian received a scholarship to the University of Utah and worked on campus as a waitress at the Panorama Room. Schooling was cut short when she met David. The Rose Park Stake had a large and very active Young Adult group in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  As Young Adult leaders in each of their wards, they first met at Stake meetings. Vivian had no car, so it was easy to ask David for a ride to activities and meetings, and David was happy to provide. It didn't take long, David took her to temple square, where he proposed.

Their first pregnancy ended with a miscarriage, but not long after, a beautiful family of four children was started. Renting was okay, but the opportunity came to buy a home. Naturally it was comfortable to come back home to Rose Park, where they bought their first home. Living close to family in those early years was truly a blessing.

Vivian's mother, Froydis, passed away at an early age, 41, but her grandmother, Ruth Johansen, seemed more like a mother to Vivian. The family could be seen walking down the street and around the corner to visit with Grandma Ruth, or the other direction to visit with David's parents. When Vivian and David sold their home to move to Bountiful, it was difficult because of the friendships that were very solid in the Rose Park Ward and Stake.

It did not take long to be welcomed into the North Canyon 2nd Ward in Bountiful. The kids found good friends, and the activities were wonderful. Vivian made lots of good friends in the new ward and was very faithful to take the kids to church, even on the days that David had to serve in the Air National Guard. Her faith was unwavering.

With the encouragement of family, David and Vivian decided to buy a boat. It was the first of two that they owned over many years. If they were not at home, you would probably find them on a lake, one of many that they liked to go to. They also made several trips to Lake Powell with the family and friends. Vivian loved those trips as much as anyone.

I believe that Vivian's greatest love was for children. She could always be seen holding a baby or child. She loved her four children and four grandchildren and spoiled them as often as she could. That made her callings in the church as a Primary teacher and Nursery leader that much easier.

When Vivian found out that she had cancer in September of 2021, she was determined to beat it.  She had chemotherapy for a year and a half without a break but never asked to stop, but I can say that she was disappointed when she lost her hair. In the end, the cancer and the chemo took its toll on her body.

Throughout her short life on earth, there were countless people who would say, "That is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen”, and they were right. Vivian Rodriguez Smith was the most beautiful person that has ever walked this earth, beautiful inside and out. Now she walks, talks, and sings with the angels in heaven. Rest in peace, Vivian, you beautiful angel.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the North Canyon 2^nd Ward, 3350 South 100 East, Bountiful, Utah.  A viewing will be held Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah and Saturday from 11:30-12:30 p.m. at the church prior to services. Interment- Bountiful City Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and on this obituary page.  The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.

We are experiencing technical issues with the live stream and may not be able to restart it.