Viva Mae Palmer's Obituary
Viva “Vi” Mae Oldroyd Palmer, 92, of Draper, Utah, died peacefully in her sleep Sunday morning January 6, 2013. Viva was born to Mary and Arnold Oldroyd, June 22, 1920 in Centerfield, Utah. Viva graduated high school from Glenwood Utah and moved to Salt Lake City where she worked to put herself through school at the University of Utah, earning a Masters Degree of Social Work. She worked at Hill Air Force base as a Social Welfare worker during World War II. Viva arranged everything from socials and dances for the soldiers, to organizing living quarters and establishing school rooms for the children of soldiers on the base. After the war she was asked to serve a mission for the LDS church. She accepted and served in the Northwestern States mission, serving most of her mission in the state of Washington.
After returning from her mission she was approached with the opportunity to continue her education in Social Work and was offered a full ride scholarship to the University of California-Berkley where she obtained 2 more Masters Degrees in Social work and Psychiatry Administration.
She moved back to Utah and worked in a number of institutions leading her to an opportunity at the State Industrial School. While providing transportation for some students to their music lessons in Ogden she was introduced to their music teacher, Jarvis Page Palmer. Viva married Jarvis in the Manti temple July 29, 1957. They built a home and started a family in Ogden Utah.
Viva dedicated herself to enriching the lives of others and less fortunate. After starting her family, she dedicated most of her life and talent working in various school districts where she earned an impeccable reputation as a leader in the area of social work and counseling within school systems. She found her final career position especially rewarding as she helped to develop and establish the first Alternative High School in the state of Utah. As school principal and director of Mountain High School in the Davis County School District, Viva helped to provide a respectful and creative environment for troubled students to discover the importance and value of education.
Viva is survived by three children, two step children, and their spouses, A. Paige Palmer, Brenda Wilkinson Palmer, of Salt Lake City, Utah; Collette Palmer of Salt Lake City, Utah; Mark and Tina Palmer of Columbus, Ohio; Larry and Heidi Palmer of Roy Utah, and Danny and Ann Palmer of Riverdale, Utah. Viva is also survived by nine grandchildren, one great granddaughter and 4 step grandchildren. Viva is preceded in death by her 6 brothers, husband, Jarvis Page Palmer 1975; daughter, Patti Palmer Field 2001 and granddaughter, Jordan Patrice Field 2001.
An open house luncheon will be held to celebrate Viva’s life on Saturday, January 12th at the Alta View Stake Center located in Sandy Utah at 1850 East 8600 South from 1:00-3:00pm.
What’s your fondest memory of Viva?
What’s a lesson you learned from Viva?
Share a story where Viva's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Viva you’ll never forget.
How did Viva make you smile?