Vicki Bean Topliff, BHS 1961

Vicki Bean Topliff, BHS 1961 1943 ~ 2014 Vicki Bean Topliff passed away in her home in Orem, UT, on August 3, 2014 of causes related to appendix cancer. Vicki was born in Glendale, California, to Alvin Pliny Bean and Dorothy Allen Bean. 

She is survived by her husband of 26 years, Edward Topliff, her brothers, Bart Bean (Marilyn) and Brad Bean (Laurie), and her sister, Lori Henderson (Matt). Vicki has seven children from a previous marriage to Thorvald Zimmerman: Patricia Bear (Eric), Julie Waller (Rod), Michael Zimmerman (Tiffany), Jacqui Jacobs (Kendall), John Zimmerman (Jessica), James Zimmerman (Adrienne), and Nikki Waller. Between them, her children have given her 25 grandchildren and her first great-grandchildren will be born this year. 

Vicki grew up in Burbank, California, where she enjoyed occasional association with movie and TV stars, such as selling Girl Scout Cookies to Debbie Reynolds who lived near her home at the time. She graduated from Burbank High School and attended BYU for three years taking secretarial and business classes. While at BYU she was a member of the Ballroom Dance Team and was a runner-up for Belle of the Y. She married her Ballroom Dance Team partner after winning several competitions with him. 

She spent most of her adult life as a full-time mother raising her seven children, and when they were grown she devoted her time to writing books about her family history. Vicki was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and has a strong family heritage in church history. The first book she wrote was about her grandfather, Willard Washington Bean, and the mission he served with his family living in Joseph Smiths home in Palmyra, New York, for 25 years. She has also written books about other relatives, including her great-grandfather, George Washington Bean, and his three wives and 30 children. In addition, she wrote her fathers and her own life history. Vicki loved writing and talking about her interesting family history, and gave many presentations to church groups about her beloved grandparents and their extraordinary contributions to the church.

Vicki always understood the value of friendship, and her beautiful smile welcomed many into her life. She remained close all of her life to a group of friends from her school days in Burbank, her friends from Huntington Beach where she raised her children, and her friends she made after her move to Utah. They filled her heart and home with laughter and love throughout her life. A funeral will be held on Friday, August 8, 2014 at 10 am, at the Suncrest Ward Chapel, 140 N 400 West in Orem. A visitation will be held Friday from 8:30-9:45am at the ward chapel. Vicki will be buried at the Utah State Veterans Cemetery. The family wishes to gratefully acknowledge all the loving support Vicki received from family and friends both far and near over the past several years. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.SundbergOlpinMortuary.com. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.