Vivian Lorraine Halley

The time has come for us to say goodbye for a moment to Vivian Lorraine Halley, who passed away from a life well-lived on June 23, at age 89. She was born May 10, 1935 in Murray, Utah to Robert and Elizabeth Caldwell, the eighth of twelve children.

Vivian met her companion for life and eternity, Niles Halley, when she was in high school. She was a shy, young girl, and he was anything but shy. That was one of the qualities that drew her heart to his. They were married on September 22, 1951, beginning their own family adventure. Arriving first was Shelly (husband Steve Dean), born on their first wedding anniversary, followed by LaRie (husband Vaughn Pack), Nila (husband Stephen Peterson), Lee (wife Joye Halley), and last but not least, Jodi (husband Troy Worthen).

One of the greatest treasured gifts that Niles and Vivian gave to their family was a place high in the Uintah Mountains known as Spirit Lake. Countless hours were spent and endless memories were made at this rustic paradise of theirs. Hiking, fishing, riding horses, being caught in lightning and thunderstorms, dances at the lodge, fighting mosquitoes, being chased by moose, saving squirrels, bowls of hot stew, and fires by the lake to name just a few. This family of theirs has created memories at Spirit Lake for over 70 years now, and the tradition can only continue for generations to come. Thank you mom and dad for this precious gift.

Vivian was a woman of many gifts and talents. She loved to paint, crochet, make up recipes, cut hair, do hair, ride horses, make dolls out of holly hocks and whistles out of snake grass. She made beauty out of nothing and brought love into everything. She loved everyone, and we mean everyone! She had her eye out for the downtrodden and gave them her hand and her heart.

One of Vivian’s greatest accomplishments was going back to school after she had raised those little kids and receiving her GED. Because she married at 16 and her family began to arrive so quickly, she was not able to graduate high school. But that did not stop her. It was a great night when all of her grown children, along with her husband, were able to applaud her as she walked up onto that stage and took her diploma in hand. It brought tears of pride to dad’s eyes as he reminisced about it.

Vivian and Niles served two missions to Nigeria. Mom loved those beautiful people with all her heart. Along with teaching about Jesus, she tried to teach them how to cook traditional American cuisine, but it never seemed to work out quite right. Her joy was in trying.

Above all things, Vivian’s greatest joy was her family. She loved making personal relationships with each of them. She cared and worried about their lives, their trials, and their accomplishments. With 5 children, 22 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren (with one more on the way), her heart had plenty to do.

Dad paid her his greatest tribute after giving her his last goodbye kiss and saying, “That was one fine lady”, and a lady she was—through and through.

Please join us in celebrating this “Fine Lady” at the Wallsburg LDS Chapel, 494 W Main Canyon Road, Wallsburg, Utah. There will be a viewing on Friday evening, June 28 from 6-8 PM and a viewing on Saturday morning, June 29 from 9-10:30 AM. Funeral services will follow at 11 AM.

To stream the services, please visit:
https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/102223/hash:4CD181B6BE37306B