Olivia Bae Bishop Gardner

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East High School University of Utah

Olivia Gardner Obituary

Olivia Bae Bishop Gardner 1926 ~ 2008 Olivia Bae Bishop Gardner passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 19, 2008. She was an uncommon woman, spiritually tuned, intellectually astute, and intensely compassionate. She celebrated life and invariably brought light into the lives of people around her. Bae was born March 10, 1926 to Van Dyne Jones Bishop and Bennett J. Bishop in Hinckley, Utah. The family lived there until 1942, when they moved to Salt Lake City. Bae attended East High School, where she played flute in the orchestras and marching band and excelled academically. She married Kelly Gardner, her handsome pilot sweetheart, just returned from World War II, on December 7, 1945 in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they reared their three children, the focus and joy of their lives. Bae began working at the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah in 1968 and served as Associate Director, loving and inspiring students for 23 years. In a labor of love, she later authored the biography of Robert H. Hinckley, friend and founder of the Institute. Bae was a renaissance woman, a voracious reader from childhood, a scholar of the arts, gifted writer and musician, avid ornithologist, political enthusiast and patriot, and loving worrier extraordinaire. A valiant and devoted member of the LDS church, Bae served in many positions, most notably as ward organist for over 25 years. Survived by sister Dorothy (Roy) Fisher, brother Orion (Sue) Bishop; husband M. Kelly Gardner; son Alan (Robyn) Gardner; daughters Dawn (David) Curtis and Anne Gardner; seven grandsons- Benjamin (Michelle) Curtis, Alexander and Samuel Curtis, Kelly Jay (Jenni) Gardner, Bryan, Hayden and Bradley Gardner; and a new great-grand-daughter Ava May Gardner, all of Salt Lake City. Funeral services will be held Saturday February 23, 2008, 1 p.m. at Foothill 7th Ward, 2215 East Roosevelt Ave. (1445 South). There will be a viewing from 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m. preceding the funeral services. Online guestbook at www.russonmortuary.com "Don't forget who loves you!" In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Bae B. Gardner Internship in Public Policy at the Hinckley Institute of Politics.

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Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Feb. 21 to Feb. 22, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Olivia Gardner

12 Entries

Verna DuPaix

February 28, 2008

I will greatly miss this special lady. She set the example of kindness and respect for others. She has raised wonderful children and so enriched my life while she was here. My sympathy to the Anne and the Curtis Family especially.

Jack Johnson

February 28, 2008

I was saddened to hear the news of such a great lady. I called her " Mom" when I saw her in the store ( Emigration Market). She always had that wonderful smile and a pleasant word for me. I came to know her lovely daughters, Dawn and Annie. You are a wonderful and beautiful family and we will all miss your beautiful mother. May your faith grow stronger each and every day as you remember her great love for you and those around her. God Bless You.

Mark Lawyer

February 24, 2008

I met Bae many years ago when I was a Hinckley intern and involved in student government at the University of Utah. What a wonderful person she was! She made me and probably many others feel that we were her best friend. These many years later, I can still see her smile, the twinkle in her eyes, and feel the warmth of her friendship. I feel the loss of her passing. I will always remember Bae as an example of the kind of person I should be.

Kathleen huber

February 22, 2008

Ann I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Know that I love you and am thinking of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.

Neil Harding

February 22, 2008

I held you in great esteem Bae. I cherished the infrequent times we associated together. I know that the Bishop clan is very happy to have you with them now. Say hello to all of them for me.

Russ and Kaye Madsen

February 22, 2008

We did not know Bae really well, but our encounters with her over the last few years confirmed that she was a lovely, classy lady. She left a wonderful legacy of learning and giving to her family. Our deepest condolences go to Alan and Robyn as well as the entire Gardner family. She is well and you will meet again.

Brent Parkin

February 21, 2008

Dear Gardner Family
We would like to express our sincere sympathy to your family at this time of great loss. We had great admiration and respect for Bae. She was a very talented and beautiful person. We are gratefull for the many kindnesses that you have shown our family over the years. May peace and comfort be with your entire family at this time.
Love Brent & Georgiann Parkin

Sheryl Atkinson

February 21, 2008

I loved your mom - in fact, all the family!! I can't begin to count all the wonderful times we talked both at work and at your house. I have beautiful memories of all the family and of being in your home. My thougts and prayers are with you. Much love, Sheryl Nielsen Atkinson

Patrick Salazar

February 21, 2008

I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Bae's family. Bae was instrumental in my success at the University of Utah. I served five Hinckley internships and was named the Truman Scholar from Utah in 1985. There were many times that Bae personally encouraged me to keep working and keep trying in the face of adversity. Bae was an inspiration to many of us during her tenure, and I am forever in debt to her commitment and service.

Alan Gardner

February 21, 2008

Mom, it is impossible to just let words say how much I loved you and to thank you for everything you have done for me and my family. Hopefully you knew that. You will be missed.
Alan

Sue and Orion Bishop

February 21, 2008

We will miss our dear sweet sister Bae until we meet again. She is an elect lady and it has been an honor to have been her family. Our prayers and thoughts are with her immediate family and we are all better people just having been a part of her life.

Jack Duffy

February 21, 2008

Bae is a wonderful human being. I very much enjoyed my association with her when I was a student at the University of Utah. She had a great personal touch as well as a great intellect and administrative style. I'm grateful I had the privilege of associating with her.

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