12 Dec Vickie Richens

Vickie Richens, a Kearns native, completed her journey here on earth on December 08, 2023 and surrendered her spirit to the freedom from Alzheimer’s and terminal cancer.  She fought a valiant battle but looked forward to the peace of no longer being in pain and sick. 

Vickie was born on January 04, 1954 in Salt Lake County to Lila Nielson, when Lila was just 16, but because of her devoted grandparents Lee and Florence, she was raised with aunts and uncles who were more like brothers and sisters – Sylvia, Bill, Leland and Darlene.  Lila later had two more children, Ila and Ernie, who were cared for deeply by Vickie. Her mother Lila moved her to Idaho, Wyoming, and California. Vickie preferred to be with Lee and Florence. She grew up mostly in Kearns, Utah and lived there most of her life. She did venture out to small towns in Idaho, Wyoming, and  Utah. 

Vickie had a strong, free, and rebellious spirit. She was a fierce lover and a fighter all of her life. Her heart beat to its own drum. She had an outgoing personality and had a contagious laugh. 

Over the years and with different loves, she had one son, Alfred (Fred) and three daughters, Michelle, Jacklyn (Jackie) and Andrea (Annie).  She gained an adopted daughter Frankie.  They have all since grown up, some got married and some divorced.   Through it all, she gained even more adopted children who she would never stop loving, Steve, Ray, and Ryan and Robin.  She always wanted her children to be happy and successful. 

She held various jobs through the years.  She loved working in housekeeping at various hotels.  She was the housekeeping supervisor for Crystal Inn in West Valley City and Salt Lake City. She worked there during the Salt Lake City Olympics and found that to be an amazing experience. She collected many pins and memorabilia from the 2002 Olympics.  Despite being a rebel, she was a natural caregiver especially with the elderly and young children.  As she aged, she was drawn more and more to jobs caring for older people.  She became a CNA and spent years at a care center, at Carrington Court Assisted Living, and worked for Active Home Health Care and Hospice.  She loved to learn about the folks she cared for and found their life stories to be very enlightening.   Growing up with her grandparents, she always said, gave her love and fondness for older generations.   

She always had a love of adventure and travel, especially Yellowstone. She loved black bears from the first time she went to Yellowstone as a child.  She also loved all things Disney.  She collected Disney movies and had multiple stuffed Mickey’s.  She had a Mickey themed Christmas village she put out every year and all kinds of Disney ornaments for the tree and house.   She always loved going to Disneyland.    More recently those trips were with her grandchildren, Jax and Sophie.  She loved to travel with family to Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Florida, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Washington DC, Canada, Mexico,and to Switzerland. She enjoyed going to National Parks she had not been to yet. She loved to go sledding in the winter. She loved to ride roller coasters and mountain coasters. She went white water rafting many times in her life.  She enjoyed fast cars and speeding over to California to see Fred in her mustang. 

In 2023, Vickie found herself in a cycle of doctor visits.  She wanted to keep working as long as she could and she did up until her first and last round of chemotherapy. She was devastated when she experienced a traumatic fall and could no longer go to see her beloved family she was providing home assistance to. She maintained contact with them until she was unable to speak. 

Vickie joined her dear husband, Jim Chadwick, who passed away in October 2020.  She was also looking forward to reuniting with her younger brother, Ernie, and her grandmother, Florence, as well as many others.   Vickie will be greatly missed here on earth by her beloved children, Alfred Lafave (Steve Mills), Michelle Richens (Ray Dumas), Jacklyn Yamaguchi, Andrea Anderson, and Frankie Lee Anderson. Her  grandchildren, Kristina Yamaguchi (Charlie Adams), Sophie and Jax Anderson,  and her dear sister, Ila Hansen; along with numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews,  and cousins…and so many friends. 

We would like to thank Active Home Health and Hospice for their assistance in helping us care for our mom at home. She chose her team. 

We would like to thank everyone who has reached out to us to provide comfort, meals, and love during this time.  

Services will be held at City View Mortuary 1001 E 11th Ave SLC, UT 84103 on Thursday December 14, 2023. Family and friends may visit from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM. Funeral Service begins at 11:00 AM. Followed by Interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery 1342 E. 500 S. Salt Lake City, Utah 84102.