Vivian Wetzel, died January 4, 2017 peacefully in Salt Lake City, UT at the respectful age of 100. Vivian was known by all for her beautifully lived life and gracious nature. She will be dearly missed here however we know her reunion with family and friends was a thrilling and anticipated one.
Vivian was born in Price, Utah on February 24, 1916 a daughter of Gomer Parry and Mabel Brown Peacock. She adored her parents and her childhood of thrills and adventures in a small town. Her favorite memories include riding an open cockpit bi-wing plane from the fairgrounds as a small girl in 1923 and the Christmas she and her sister were given a child’s size working cast iron stove, the best toy ever. She had an older sister, Louise and a younger brother, Parry and the three had a close, loving relationship all their lives.
Vivian graduated Carbon High Schools class of 1934 a popular student excelling in all her subjects, loving mathematics, literature, sewing, cooking and theater. Vivian attended BYU for a year, taking the lead role in Helena of Troy as a freshman while standing out in all studies. She then married her Carbon High School sweetheart, Paul Holbrook and together they had three children, Douglas, Ann and Eve. Living in the mining towns of Hiawatha, Latuda and Price during these times of war was challenging yet Vivian’s unruffled ways brought calm and joy to her family. Raising her three children was a delight for Vivian and she loved their curious minds and lovely personalities which always kept her on her toes. Vivian and Paul divorced in 1947.
Life for a single mother was not always easy but Vivian always stood tall and accomplished much with grace. In 1947 Vivian worked in the Appliance Department of the Price Trading Company in Price. She then moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where she worked as Director of the Home Service and Demonstration Department for Flint Distribution Company, a wholesale Appliance firm. She retired from work several years after she and Nevin Wetzel were married in 1954. This marriage brought a blended family with 3 more children Kay, David and Jim, which she embraced and enjoyed. Vivian and Nevin later divorced.
After Vivian’s three children had finished college and started families of their own she entered the University of Utah and received a Bachelor and Master Degrees. She later received a Ph.D. in Education Psychology from the Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She also studied at the University of San Diego, California and Utah State University in Logan, Utah. These studies were funded by Grants from United States Department of Education.
Starting in 1964 she spent eighteen years working in the Salt Lake School District; six years as a Speech Pathologist and Audiologist and twelve years as a Psychologist in the Resource Dept. Vivian took a leave of absence from the District to spend two years working in the Utah State Board of Education Office. During this time she worked with a team of three other Educators to establish Resource Rooms in Elementary schools throughout the State of Utah. She also served as an off-campus Clinical Instructor for the University of Utah. Her career was a great joy to her and provided her family much to aspire to as they each pursued their own educational and life goals.
Vivian’s active life allowed her time to join a variety of groups and clubs such as Phi Kappa Phi, Utah and American Speech and Hearing Associations. At various time she participated in the Utah Symphony Guild, Pioneer Theater Guild, Salt Lake Council of Women, Salt Lake Girl Scout Counsel, The Women’s Auxiliary of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, the Delta Gamma Prevention of Blindness Program and The Friendship Force.
Vivian loved traveling and she visited most of the states in the Union. She traveled through Europe, Russia, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Nepal, India, Africa, South America, China and Japan. She enjoyed the outdoors and went on several wilderness trips. With three others she went by horseback, on a two-week trip through the forest and lake regions in the high Uinta wilderness. She went on an Africa safari throughout Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. In 1962 she camped out on a secluded beach in Baja, Mexico. She cruised the Mediterranean Sea, up the west coast of South America and the Red Sea. Vivian also enjoyed river trips. She sailed from Aswan to Cairo in Egypt, down the Saint Lawrence from Montreal to the Atlantic Ocean and down to Boston. She visited inner Russia on a river trip through the rivers, lakes and locks from Moscow to Leningrad. Riding an elephant she went up to the Elephantine Cave in India, she also explored the Gutas Tas Mera de Aire Cave in Portugal, the Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, the Carlsbad Cave in Arizona and the Timpanogos Cave in Utah. In all of her travels her four favorite places were the ruins in Kanossos in Crete, Delphi in Greece, Machu Picchu in Peru and Peetra in Jordan.
Vivian also excelled at living beautifully. Her efforts in life lead to original works of art upon her walls, exceptional literature in her library, choice music playing, beautiful fashion in her closets and fine food in her kitchen. She entertained all and a dinner party at her house was an honored invitation you did not miss. Cooking, bridge and traveling groups, sewing, gardening, interior design, giving fashion shows of her antique dress collection and having family over during the holidays are just a few more pursuits that gave her joy.
Vivian always said she enjoyed her work but the best years of her life were those she spent at home with her three children. She loved watching them grow up. As young adults they always invited her into their lives and she invited them into hers. Vivian spent many holidays, vacations, birthdays, and special days with them which gave her wonderful memories which she cherished all her life. Whenever possible she traveled to see and become acquainted with each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her three children, Douglas Paul Holbrook, daughters Ann Holbrook Zenger Diehl and Eve Holbrook Dickson, Daughter-in-law Shelly Stevenson Holbrook, son-in-law Keith Dickson, son-in-law Lawrence Diehl, eleven grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren, one niece and five nephews all of whom she loved dearly.
Vivian also had a very special relationship with her parents, Gomer and Mabel Peacock, Sister Louise Peacock Jolly, brother Parry B. Peacock and son-in-law Gene A. Zenger.
Vivian’s Memorial Service will be held Monday January 9, 2017 10am at Memorial Holladay-Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 South Highland Drive, Holladay, Utah. The family will receive relatives and friends one hour before the memorial. Vivian will be buried in her beloved childhood town of Price, UT, next to her father, mother, sister and brother. Congratulations Vivian on a life well lived.
Memories may be shared at www.memorialutah.com
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