Vivian Grako

Vivian Grace Brotherson Grako

We sadly share the passing of our beloved mother Vivian Grace Brotherson Grako at the age of 96 on July 19, 2025, in Phoenix, AZ, where she had lived for the past 20 years to be near her large extended family. Family was most important to her. She especially loved to receive visits from her many relatives and friends who often traveled great distances to visit with her.

Vivian was born in Price, Utah, on May 1, 1929 to Nels and Alice Grames Brotherson. Vivian lost her parents early and helped in raising her younger sister Gayle. She attended Wasatch Academy boarding school in 1945-1946 and graduated from Carbon High School. In 1947, she continued her education at Carbon College, which she attended with her life-long friend (and future sister-in-law) Rita Silvagni Kirby. Vivian received an Associate of Arts degree in 1949. It was during this time she met the love of her life, Rita's older brother, Johnny Grako. They married in Las Vegas in 1949 and moved to Los Banos, CA, where their 5 children were born. They returned to Price in 1964. Vivian raised their children in the Catholic faith. In 1982, she chose to be baptized, confirmed, and married in the Price Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church.

After returning to Price, Vivian completed a Bachelor of Science degree in 1972 and began her teaching career at Carbon High School in the English department, teaching both English and Journalism. In 1983, she received a Master of Education from Utah State University and was given charge of the school library/media center. During her 25-year career she was also the advisor for the Carbonicle (the high school newspaper) and taught graphic arts as well. She spent many hours working with students as a mentor to ensure they had the best opportunity to succeed. Her efforts were formally recognized twice during her career when she was awarded the Outstanding Carbon County Teacher Award.

Vivian and Johnny had an incredibly loving 54-year marriage. After Johnny passed, Vivian began a friendship with another Carbon College alumni, D. Walter Jones. For the next 10 years they traveled extensively with a Carbon County group of friends and family exploring the world either on bus trips across the USA or at the beautiful ports of call during their many cruises. Vivian moved from Price to Phoenix to be closer to children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Vivian continued her love of dancing at Las Palmas Grand where she and Walter resided. They attended the weekly ballroom dances during the winter months where they enjoyed the music of live bands until Walter passed. Vivian enjoyed traveling with her children making a trip to Italy and attending many family reunions over the 4th of July at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, CA. Vivian loved to listen and dance to music from the Big Band era and play bridge and bingo, which she continued to do at her retirement community in Phoenix until her death. Her children know that Vivian and Johnny are dancing together once again to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

Vivian is survived by her children: Dr. Kathy Grako (Andrew Shipps), John (Gabriella) Grako; Paul (Maria) Grako, Ann Grako Stark; 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren: Christopher (Kelly) Grako and children Preston, Peyton, Parker, Paige; Amy Grako (Robert Marques) and daughter Mikayla; J.P. (Jenna) Grako and daughters Madelyn and Audrey Vivian, and a 3rd daughter on the way; Laura (Travis) Marquez and daughter Gia; Rachel Grako-Stark, Kara Eaton, Hayden Grako, Kyle Stark, Ryan Stark, Marlee Grako, and Brinklee Grako.

Vivian was preceded in death by her parents, her 3 sisters, Mildred Warner, Madrel McKee, Gayle Atwood; and 3 brothers, Nels, Floyd, and Clyde; her husband, John (Johnny) B. Grako; daughter, Patricia; daughter-in-law, Karen Grako; and grandsons, Benjamin Grako and Gabriel Stark.

Memorial Mass, Saturday, August 23, 2025, 10:00 a.m. at Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church (210 N. Carbon Ave.) in Price. Committal service will follow in the Price City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church in memory of John and Vivian Grako.

Arrangements are entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends and family are welcome to share memories of Vivian online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.

To send a flower arrangement in memory of Vivian Grako, please click here to visit our sympathy store.