OSMOND, OLIVE, (?), 1925 – April 4, 2004

Olive Osmond, matriarch of a Utah family of famous entertainers was being remembered on Mother’s Day for her devotion to her nine children and her millions of children throughout the world.

Mrs. Osmond, who had been suffering the effects of numerous strokes over the past 5 ½ years, died April 4, 2004 at her Provo home, surrounded by family. She had turned 79 on Tuesday.

A spokesman said her family felt relief that she had been released from suffering. They’ve been anticipating this, but mothering prepares you for the time for it to come on Mother’s Day.

Mrs. Osmond’s health had declined in recent weeks, and all of her children were able to say their goodbyes. Some were not at her bedside when she passed because they had contractual obligations, but they were enroute to Utah Sunday.

Mrs. Osmond was born in Samaria, Idaho in 1925 to Thomas and Vera Ann Davis. Her father was a school principal, which Clark believes explained why she loved reading all her life. She moved to Ogden and worked as a secretary at the Adjutant General Depot where she met a young soldier, George V. Osmond, and wrote in her diary. “Today I met someone who’s going to mean a lot to me.” They married in 1944. Early in their marriage, she played saxophone in a band that performed at local dances. She later played the sax on television for family Christmas specials, albeit reluctantly.

The Osmonds’ first two sons, Virl and Tom, developed degenerative hearing losses that also affected their speech. Their subsequent seven children, Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay, Donny, Marie and Jimmy did not develop the same hearing problem and went on to musical fame and fortune.

Mrs. Osmond is survived by her husband, George, 55 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are pending.