By Victoria Bradley
Families can be together forever. That was the theme at the funeral for Olive May Davis-Osmond Saturday at the Provo stake center.
President Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presided over the ceremony.
Osmond was a mother of nine, including the famed Osmond singing group, and left behind what her family and friends called a legacy of faith and missionary work.
“She was the best missionary,” said Merrill, Olive”s fifth son, during the ceremony. “She even gave a Book of Mormon to the Queen of England.”
Each of the Osmond children spoke at their mother”s funeral, sharing stories as well as words of wisdom passed on by their family”s matriarch.
“We”ve moved a lot in our lives,” said Donny, the seventh son in the Osmond family. “She”s just changing her address again. I rejoice that I am her son eternally.”
Olive suffered a stroke 2 1/2 years ago and has endured many complications since. Ron Clark, a family friend and spokesperson described her willingness to survive despite the expectations of her doctors.
“She had so many repeated comebacks that the hospital staff started to lovingly call her, ”Lazarus,”” Clark said.
Olive died on Mother”s Day, May 9th, surrounded by her family and friends. Clark pointed to the irony of her death on the ninth day, “leaving behind nine examples for the world to enjoy” in reference to her children.
Olive May Davis was born May 4, 1925, in Samaria, Idaho. She met and married her husband George V. Osmond in 1944. The two shared a loved of music that they passed on to their nine children. Her six younger boys began performing as the Osmond Brothers in the 1960s and 1970s. The teen sensations produced 34 gold and platinum records. Donny and Marier later went on to their more fame and success through their recordings and variety shows.
“Every time I”ve heard an Osmond performance, I”m on my feet for a standing ovation,” said President Monson at the services on Saturday.
He then encouraged the congregation to rise for a silent standing ovation in honor of the Osmond mother and missionary.
“A song of the righteous is a prayer unto the Lord,” Monson said. “And it is His blessing on this family. There is a harmonious song in heaven today- all on the right pitch.”
Music was enjoyed at the funeral services. First the 55 grandchildren of Olive Osmond sang a medley. The immediate children of her family later in the ceremony performed another heartfelt and harmonious medley.
“I truly have been born of goodly parents,” said Virl, Olive”s firstborn, at the ceremony, “I will truly miss my angel mother, but she will be close by. The veil is thin.”
