Ethel (“Vicki”) Vivian Nelson (nee Hadley) finished her mortal mission on December 29, 2020 at about 3:20pm MST in her home in Taylorsville Utah. She was 78 years old. Her health had declined significantly in the past several years of her life, to the point that she could not do many of the things that had brought her joy, such as providing transportation to the disabled or helping so many with social security programs, or helping out at senior centers, or making jewelry and holding boutique sales. She wanted to keep busy but later in life her health just would not let her get out and do much anymore.

Vicki was born on October 29, 1942 in Salt Lake City Utah to her father Donald Campbell Hadley and her mother Betty Lorraine Hadley (nee Reid). She was a mother and step mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, a wife, a homemaker, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and served others in several ways through employment or volunteer work. During her employed years she primarily worked with the US Geological Survey and the Social Security Administration. Upon retirement she worked for Southwest Airlines for a few years and did a lot of volunteer work primarily with the Kearns Senior Center. Everyone who knew her loved her as she was so friendly with all and brought them smiles and warmth.

She married Dennis Glen Nelson on April 28, 1977 and brought a son of hers into the family and helped raise four children of his, who also grew to love her.

Vicki is survived by her husband Dennis, a son John “Jack” Warner (Linda), step sons and step daughters Diana Nelson Knight (Kevin), Chris Nelson, Jeff Nelson (Denise), Colleen Nelson Hughes (Terry), and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also has surviving siblings Bonnie Brown, John Brown, Donna Hadley Bohon (Roger), and David Hadley (Nancy). She loved all her family dearly.

She was preceded in death by her mother who passed away in 2007, and her father who passed away in 2012. We all thought she would be able to stick around a few more years, but she suffered with so much pain and surgeries that her body just couldn’t hold out any longer. She was on hospice care the last month of her life where she was kept as comfortable as possible until it was time to pass on. She will be greatly missed, but we take comfort that she is free from pain now and able to have a wonderful reunion with her family members who have passed on before.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday January 7 at 1pm (MST) at

Memorial Lake Hills cemetery

10055 S. State

Sandy, UT 84070

As she has expressed in her final wishes, in lieu of flowers please feel free to make a charitable contribution to Humane Society Animal Rescue (https://www.humanesociety.org/animal-rescue-team) in her honor.

Services will also be Live-Streamed: https://zoom.us/j/8012981564

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Services

Graveside Service

Thursday, Jan. 07, 2021 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Lake Hills Mortuary
10055 S State St
Sandy, UT 84070

Services Handled By

Memorial Lake Hills Mortuary & Cemetery
10055 South State Street
Sandy, UT

Life Story Info

Post Date

Jan 03, 2021

Personal Info

Age

78
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Guestbook

SHE WILL BE SADLY MISSED

ron dahl , kearns, UT, US Jan 07, 2021

I have many memories and looking back I think my fondest are Sunday family dinners and most favorite, attending a Ladies Night at Deseret Book during the men's session of General Conference. Sometimes one of us actually won something.

Our relationship was not always thr best (like some mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationships) but I learned a lot from her and with age realized how much she loved and cared about her family and others.

Thinking about her life, she was

a strong a person, a hard worker, she loved people and tried to do caring things for everyone. She endured many things and now she has eternity. I thank her for her graciousness and for not saying anything when she ate my first pumpkin pie that later I realized was awful because I had to make it with sweet-n-low and I used a regular measuring spoon instead of the itty-bitty spoon in the box!

Vicki keep a watch on our new little grandson. ❤

Jodi Doerr , Waterloo , IL, US Jan 06, 2021

Vicki was a wonderful volunteer at Aging & Adult Services. She was kind, generous, and a walking encyclopedia of important details and knowledge. She will be missed. My heart goes out to her family and friends. Bon Voyage Ms. Vicki!

Kathy , Salt Lake City, UT, US Jan 05, 2021

I became acquainted with Vicki through the SHIP program at Salt Lake County. She was one of the most amazing people I have known. She was always so positive, funny, kind, and hard working. It was obvious that she was in pain as she came into our office and packed out stacks of volunteer work. She was such a great example to me and I will miss her!

Charlyn Hanson , Midvale, UT, US Jan 05, 2021

I am so sorry for your loss. Vicki was one of my first volunteers I met as the Director of the Medicare education, assistance, and outreach program (SHIP and SMP) for the State of Utah. At that first meeting, Vicki was excited and a little scared to help Medicare beneficiaries enroll in the new prescription drug programs that started in 2006. Vicki was passionate and dedicated to serving her Salt Lake County residents as a Medicare counselor. Thousands of Salt Lake County Medicare beneficiaries are grateful for her help, love, insight and compassion. I am grateful for her loving volunteer services and it has been an honor knowing her. Thank you for sharing her with us.

Darren Hotton , Salt Lake City, UT, US Jan 05, 2021

Vicki volunteered with Salt Lake County RSVP for more than 20 years. During her time with us she served in various Aging & Adult Services programs including special projects, Rides for Wellness, Meals on Wheels, the Kearns Senior Center, the SHIP program and the RSVP Advisory Council. She was a kind and caring volunteer who always focused on the positive and made a tremendous difference in the lives of many. She will be greatly missed.

Vicki Jo Hansen , Salt Lake City, UT, US Jan 04, 2021

Sorry to hear of Vicki's passing. David has many lovely memories of his sister. I only met her a couple of times and found her delightful.

Nancy Hadley , Concord, CA, US Jan 04, 2021

I loved Vicki from the day I met her. It seems like I knew her for a long time but it was hardly any time at all. I met her at Silver Crest apartments in Taylorsville, Utah. she taught a few of us to play Rummikub. I think of her everytime I play. I miss her very much. I wish I had visited her more in the days before her passing. Regrets of this kind are hard to live with. She gave me so much Joy and she loved my little Lady. Lady is a Yorkie and Vicki missed her little dog very much. Lady loved her and when i stopped by to visit for a few minutes with Jack Lady wanted to go inside so much. 😇😇😇🙏🙏🙏❤💝I love Vicki.

Phyllis Mangum Jan 03, 2021

We will miss your love and warm smile Vicki. Until we meet again...❤️

Diana Knight Jan 03, 2021

Timeline


  • 1970
  • 1976

  • 2020
  • Jan 3, 2020

    Family was always important to my dad and Vicki. We were able to get most of us together at Thanksgiving in 2019.