Obituary of Vicki Lea Lawlor

On Tuesday, December 26, 2023 Vicki Lea (Jennings) Lawlor, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend passed away unexpectedly at the age of 75 in her sleep with an upper respiratory infection.

Vicki was born March 6, 1948 in Pampa, Texas. She was the oldest of two daughters born to Lee Dean Jennings and Norma Lea (Badgley) Jennings. Vicki moved with her family to Mesa, Arizona at the age of 11 in 1959. Vicki was married to her eternal companion and sweetheart Milton Gayle Lawlor on November 19, 1970 in the Mesa Arizona Temple and together they raised their seven children, Daren, Kenneth, Austin, Preston, Joshua, Casey, and Noelle in Mesa, Arizona.

Vicki had a fondness for many things. In her teenage years all the way into her early 20’s she danced with several dance groups including the Mesa High Rabbettes and the Mesa Mia Dancers. Throughout her life she would reminisce about her time with friends in Mia Dancers. She could often be found dancing with Milton in their kitchen, and if he wasn’t around she would grab one of her sons and force them to dance with her. She worked at Dairy Queen on Country Club and Main St. in Mesa in High School and passed on her love of DQ to her children. Once she had children, her time was spent carting kids to various activities including football, baseball, basketball, swimming, wrestling, soccer, piano lessons, and band events. She never missed an opportunity to cheer and support her children. She also loved scouting and made it a top priority for all of her sons. She made sure each of her boys earned their Eagle Scout award, and thus also earned six Eagle Scout awards herself, possibly a record in the state of Arizona. When Vicki’s youngest child and only daughter, Noelle, developed severe scoliosis she championed her care and made sure every possible treatment and follow up care was performed exactingly thus promising the best possible outcome. Vicki loved to sew and quilt. She made almost all of her 20 granddaughters' blessing dresses until her arthritis prevented it. She also made many custom quilts for her family and others. She made loving others a top priority and never failed to make sure her children, their friends, her nieces and nephews, and so many others knew she loved them.

Vicki was preceded in death by her mother, Norma, her father, Dean, and beloved husband, Milton. Sadly, Milton died just before their 50th wedding anniversary. Vicki is survived by her sister Joy (Jennings) McBride, her seven children and their spouses: Daren & Elle Lawlor, Kenneth & Shelley Lawlor, Austin & Jill Lawlor, Preston & Robyn Lawlor, Joshua & Sarah Lawlor, Casey & Celeste Lawlor, and Noelle & Eric Lara. She is also survived by 30 of her 31 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Viewing on January 3rd from 6-8 PM at 1852 N Stapley Dr, Mesa, AZ 85203, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

Viewing on January 4th at 10:00 AM followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM at 933 E Brown Rd, Mesa, AZ 85203, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.