Bianca Palmieri Lisonbee

Bianca Anne Elizabeth Palmieri Lisonbee passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, surrounded by her cherished family members, after bravely facing a rare and aggressive cancer.
Bianca was born on November 10, 1953, on board the ocean liner, the Conte Biancamano. At the time of her birth, her parents, Antonio and Josephine Palmieri, were emigrating from Italy to America. Bianca's remarkable birth happened in the middle of two hurricane-force storms. Her father, an obstetrician, was so seasick that he was unable to help Josephine during labor. Instead, a steward read a first aid manual to assist her, and by sheer miracle, Bianca was delivered safely. Upon hearing the news, the ship's captain requested that she be named after the ship. Bianca was born on the sea and has been making waves in the world ever since.
The Conte Biancamano became a symbol of how Bianca lived her life–navigating through life's adventures, taking challenges head on, and weathering the waves and storms that came her way, all while enduring and holding strong.
After arriving in America, Antonio and Josephine settled in Richmond, Virginia, to raise Bianca and her older sister Rita-her twin soul. As a young girl, Bianca felt nervous to go to school. All day, she looked forward to recess, when she would scan the playground, find Rita, and hold her hand. These precious twin souls are holding hands once again.
Bianca's father Antonio passed away when Bianca was only nine years old.
Bianca learned about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when her sister Rita went to BYU. Rita joined the Church in 1968, and Bianca and Josephine were baptized a year later. Bianca loved the gospel. She was so grateful for the Savior's Atonement, which enables everyone in this life, even with all its heartaches, to still have so much joy. Some of Bianca's last words to her family were about her testimony of the Savior, and that because of Jesus, it will all be ok.
When Bianca and her mom moved to Provo, Utah, during her senior year of high school, they moved in next door to David Lisonbee. Every time Bianca took her dog out for a walk, David noticed her and came out to visit. Bianca wrote to David on his mission to Brazil, and they were married on December 19, 1974, in the Manti Utah Temple. Bianca graduated from BYU in 1976 with a bachelor's degree in Theater and was awarded the Best Actress of the Year during her freshman year for her role of Anne Frank.
Bianca and David settled in Orem, Utah, to raise their five children: Adam, Jenna, Micah, Matthew, and Megan.
As a young girl in Catholic school, Bianca dreamed of making a difference in the world. She did that in so many ways, including her professional life. In 1998, David and Bianca founded 4Life Research, a nutritional supplement company. Together, they traveled all over the world, where they built homes and provided food and education to those less fortunate, as part of their humanitarian organization, Foundation 4Life. David and Bianca formed lifelong friendships with executives, distributors, and employees. While David was the head of the company, Bianca was truly the heart of 4Life.
Bianca and David served two missions together: first, to Milan, Italy (2009-2011) and as mission leaders in Salvador, Brazil (2014-2017).
Bianca served for many years in the Young Women organization at the ward and stake level, and she attended several girls' camps. Bianca also served as ward Relief Society president and road show director. She graciously hosted gatherings and reunions at her Italian-styled home and attended countless baptisms and weddings for her family, friends, neighbors, and the missionaries she loved and mentored.
Her favorite calling was teaching the gospel in any capacity. Bianca had a tremendous depth of knowledge about the scriptures, coupled with the wisdom of having applied that knowledge in her life. She brought the Savior and the Book of Mormon alive for her students.
Bianca's three greatest joys were talking about her children and grandchildren, Italy, and David. She enjoyed hiking, skiing, blasting good music in her kitchen (usually Andrea Bocelli or the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square), and cooking delicious Italian food. Bianca loved having passionate discussions around the dinner table about the gospel, politics, good books, and current events.
Bianca did everything with love. She graciously opened her home to people (family, friends, missionaries, college students, and so many more) and lived her life with kindness, love, and hope. Bianca always made people feel like their best selves, because she saw the best in everyone around her. Bianca brought light, laughter, and joy to everything she touched. She truly created magic in every moment.
Bianca will be missed most for her: Halloween costumes, Pinocchio collection, Abraham Lincoln speech every Thanksgiving, crowd surfing at 4Life conventions, "For Narnia!", Christmas miracles, passion for all things Italian, olive trees, cheese bread, lemon trees, sunflowers, autumn colors and quaking aspens, love for America, gigantic ceramic bowls, queen of text typos, eggplant parmesan, Italian tortillas, quick wit, unparalleled humor, ability to make any space beautiful, ultimate hostess, protective Italian mama bear, Credendo Vides, Mount Timpanogos, King's Peak, Anne Frank, 5455, Papa Jubie sauce, kitchen aprons, roosters, Central Grocery in New Orleans, muffalettas, Lisonbee honey, voice of an angel, queen bee, and so much more.
One of Bianca's favorite songs came from a movie called "Goodbye, Mr. Chips." The theme song ends with: "In the evening of my life I shall look to the sunset/at a moment in my life when the night is due/And the question I shall ask only I can answer/was I brave and strong and true?/Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?"
Sweet Bianca, you were the bravest, strongest, and truest woman that any of us has ever known. And you did fill the world with love your whole life through. While we are heartbroken to not have you with us, we can only imagine the glorious heavenly party as you reunite with your parents and your beloved Rita. We will carry on the beautiful legacy of faith, hope, and love that you left us. "Onward, ever onward, as we glory in His name."
As we watch the Conte Biancamano sail into the distance, into calm and peaceful waters, we remember Bianca's favorite Italian phrase: Sempre Famiglia. Forever Family.
Bianca, Binky, Mama, and Nonna-we love you!
Bianca is survived by her husband, David; her five children: Adam (Tennille), Jenna, Micah (Carly), Matthew (Kaylynne), and Megan (Cameron); and 13 grandchildren (with one more on the way). She was preceded in death by her parents and sister.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 7, at 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 345 East 4525 North in Provo, Utah. A viewing will be held on Friday, October 6, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home at 646 East 800 North in Orem, Utah. There will also be a viewing prior to the service (9:30 am-10:30 am) at the church. Interment at Orem City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Foundation 4Life at foundation4life.org.