Shirley P. Condie
Shirley Palmer Condie peacefully passed away on November 28, 2020 in Cedar Hills, Utah at the age of 93. She was surrounded by her loving family. Shirley was born on October 1, 1927 to John Frank Palmer and Myrtle Gilbert Palmer.
Shirley spent her childhood years living in Preston, Idaho. She attended Utah State University and earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University. Shirley married her eternal companion and best friend Dolan B. Condie on September 9, 1949 in the Salt Lake Temple. They were married for 69 years before Dolan passed away in 2018. Together they shared a life of service in many capacities. She accepted and enjoyed various callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She and Dolan served two full-time missions (London, England and Translation Services at the Provo Missionary Training Center) and three Church service missions (Provo Missionary Training Center-15 years, Salt Lake City Family History Center, and the American Fork Employment Center). Shirley also served a service mission organizing the historical materials in the library at the General Relief Society Building in Salt Lake City. Dolan and Shirley loved their time together in the service of others.
The education of children was one of her greatest loves. She taught kindergarten and third grade and spent twenty-five years as the librarian at Edgemont Elementary School in Provo, UT. Her favorite thing to do as a librarian was to read good books to the children by the library’s big rock fireplace. Often former students would tell her she was the reason for their love of reading.
Shirley loved spending time with her family. She especially enjoyed family traditions, holiday parties, walking through the flowers at Thanksgiving Point and traveling the world. She loved the outdoors and was hiking into her 80’s until Parkinson’s disease took its toll.
She and Dolan are the parents of two children, Richard Condie (Kim) and Cathie Bowen (Robert). They were blessed with eleven grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. Shirley’s greatest treasure was her family. She thought they were all perfect.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother John Gayle Palmer, and her sisters, Doris Layne, Lucille Ashcroft, Leah Palmer, and Jenna Vee Hall.
The family expresses their gratitude for the kindness shown to Shirley by the staff of the Charleston Assisted Living Center in Cedar Hills. Graveside services will be held for immediate family on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. She will be interred at East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery.
This Post Has 25 Comments
Mrs. Condie used to read stories to us in front of the fireplace at Edgemont Elementary. She helped instill a love of reading in me that has lasted a lifetime. She’d always recommend good books and made the library a fun place to be.
My love and best wishes to the family of Shirley Palmer Condie, who was my first cousin. Her father, John Frank Palmer, and my father, David Clair Palmer, were brothers. Shirley, who was about eight years old than me, was a friendly, loving person, as was her husband, Dolan, We all grew up in the Preston, Idaho, area. I saw Shirley and Dolan several years ago in Preston, and I regret that I have not kept in touch with her more frequently. My wife and I were happy to see Shirley and Dolan, who were serving in a missionary capacity many years ago in Provo while my wife, Joan, and I were in training for one of our LDS missions. Shirley’s parents and Dolan’s parents were good people. I had high regard for them, as did my parents. I remember them well. I pray that the family of Shirley and Dolan will feel free to contact me. My prayer is that all of their family and friends will be blessed and comforted at this time.
I’m both saddened and happy at the same time. Shirley was my neighbor and friend. She was (is) an elegant lady, generous and kind. She and Dolan were dedicated followers of Jesus Christ and could be seen holding hands at every meeting and/or event that was held. They were faithful and never missed anything of any importance. We laughed, played games, and worked together on various assignments. I’m so very happy that she is now back in the arms of her beloved Dolan. She lived an exemplary life and left us with sweet memories. My deep condolences to Richard and Cathie who so faithfully took care of their parents. May the Lord bless you all. With much love, Dorothy Bryson
We loved Shirley so much! She was a great Lady!
We are happy to know that she will be with her sweetheart Dolan again. What a joyous reunion. I feel so privileged to have had them as neighbors and friends.
Our thoughts are with you at this time. We served in the Heritage Park Branch and loved working with your mom and dad. She will be missed as was your dad. Such a special lady.
David and Nancy Harr
I loved Shirley and Dolan. I served with them for several years at the Church Employment Center. I have been serving at the Charleston with my husband for 5 years. When I found out they were moving into the Charleston I could hardly wait for their arrival. I was Shirley’s ministering sister and I have loved visiting with her as often as I could. With COVID it hasn’t been easy. But I would call. I have lost a very dear friend and my heart goes out to her sweet family.
We’re sorry to hear of the passing of your dear mother/grandmother. She was a classy lady in every sense of the word. We’re so glad we knew both Shirley and Dolan and are happy that their love story can continue.
I worked for MTC immunizations all those years sweet Shirley and Dolan served with us. What a sweet, sweet couple! Shirley was always absolutely gorgeous inside and out and such a pleasure to serve with. My deepest condolences for your your loss!
We are sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing, but oh what a happy reunion with Dolan. They were always a great example of what true love was. We are so grateful to have known them. Times like these makes us so grateful for Heavenly Fathers Plan of Salvation and for His Atonement. God bless you all,
Jan Myers & Roxcy Jeppson
Our family was blessed by associations with both Dolan & Shirley and their family thru out the years of Provo high, Edgemont Elementary, and Far West Bank. Rhonda & I enjoyed our final visit with them at Charleston. They were getting ready to go on a walk with wheel chair and cane and were so gracious to turn around and invite us in their room where we reminisced many memories together. Best regards and gratefulness from Don & Rhonda Norton
Don & Rhonda Norton
I loved Shirley and all she was and did for her family, Church, education and the neighborhood. She was my mentor when I became the librarian at Rock Canyon. When I bought the house behind them we talked over the fence from my deck to hers. I was her companion at the RS Building library. I will miss her lots. She and Dolan were some of the greatest people I have ever known. They blessed my life immensely.
MiLinda and I were blessed to be able to serve with Dolan and Shirley with the Utah Association of High School Principals for many years. I was a principal in Provo and Dolan was my mentor. We loved being with Shirley. She was always so kind, so polite and so professional. I called her the “Classy Lady.” I spent 30 years working with Provo City School District and after her retirement, I heard her name mentioned for many years and always in the positive. She will be missed by many.
I am so grateful that we had the blessing to work with such a wonderful lady.
My condolences to your family. I loved being with Dolan and Shirley at UASSP events and traveling with them. They were both very kind and classy in every way. I enjoyed seeing them later at AF High events for their Bowen grandkids. May you find comfort in knowing the many lives they have touched.
Glen Clark
I loved Shirley! She was the librarian at Edgemont Elementary when I began my teaching career in 1973. She became one of my very good friends, a kind lady with a special light about her. I have only fond memories of Shirley. She was an amazing woman and an example to all who knew her. May your family be comforted at this time.
Shirley Condie was my cohort in crime at Edgemont Elementary School. How I loved and respected her. She was always so supportive of me in every way. I taught at Edgemont for 9 years and she was a rock in the lives of all the children and staff. I was always coming up with some strange idea in teaching the children in my classes and she would be right there supporting me and never judging me for my crazy ideas. One year I learned that BYU had video tape player, at the time a large three quarter inch tape, as video players had not yet been commercially available, and there was a special series about the discovery of the Nile River made by the BBC, that I wanted my students to watch. Shirley went to work and borrowed that video machine from BYU and I found the large tapes of the series and she made it happen. The last time I saw them both was at a viewing of a fellow teacher and we had a wonderful visit. She and Dolan were just the best of the best. The memories I have of those many wonderful interactions with her, will always be with me. I cherish her memory.
I had the great opportunity to work with Shirley at Edgemont ElementarySchool where I taught 3rd,4th and 6th grade from 1980 – 1997. Shirley was definitely the hub of the school. A great friend and cohort. When Shirley spoke, people took note. Always a loving and kind hearted soul. Everyone loved to go to the library not only to learn from Mrs. Condie, but teachers and staff loved to interact and listen to her sound council, myself included. Another connection was that my father, Jay, worked with Dolan as his assistant principal at Timpview. Dolan and Shirley were a terrific pair, working with and influencing the lives of thousands of students during their careers in education. I have a connection with Santa Claus, who enjoyed the invitation to visit the Condie Family parties at their home in Provo. What a treat it was for Santa to be with them. Dolan and Shirley were definitely on Santa’s “Nice List!”
Shirley has graduated from mortality with honors. I’m sure Dolan is glad to have her by his side again and knowing Shirley, they will stay busy giving service to others. My sympathy goes out to the Condie family.
Sincerely, Dean Nielsen
Mrs Condie was the librarian all my years at Edgemont Elementary. She was such an inspirational influence in my childhood. She helped to instill a lifelong love of reading that I’ve passed down to my children. I’ve thought of her often over the years and felt gratitude for what a kind and thoughtful teacher she was. I’m forever grateful for her example! Sending prayers of comfort to all of her loved ones!
I am so glad Shirley was there at The Charleston when my Mom moved in. She befriended my Mom and was such a bright spot in my Mom’s life. My Mom looked forward to going to meals and meetings since Shirley would be there too. She was a kind and beautiful lady to the end and will be greatly missed.
We both offer our condolences to Cathy and the rest of Shirley’s family.
much love,
Jill Williams and Nancy Jones
I so loved your mother as my neighbor and admire her even more as I have read her obituary and realize what a beautiful life she lived along with your dear father … they were both such wonderful neighbors and dear friends. There’s something so sweet about the knowledge that we have to know that they are back together once again. It feels my heart with joy and I am sure gives you much comfort and peace, Cathie. I pray that it was a beautiful day for you today! My Love, Nancy Read
Dolan and Shirley were great neighbors, my Principal and my Bishop. I remember Shirley worked as a librarian in Provo. They have great children and also hosted an Indian student at their home. I’m sure my mom and dad are happy to greet them. My mom was the Relief Society president that worked with Dolan. Sincerely yours, Boyd J. Berrett
I grew up in Conda and was a student in the 3 room school house Dolan’s mother and father taught at.
I am in possession of a history text book with Dolan’s name inside the front cover – if any family would like that book I’d love to pass it along. embunker@comcast.net
The book of Proverbs asks: “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” One can be found with Shirley, a neighbor of ours for 25 years. She was always happy and made us feel better about ourselves by being in her presence. She was dignified yet friendly and welcoming. In our dear friends Richard and Cathy, we see the kind of mother and homemaker she was, as perhaps her greatest legacy is her righteous posterity that she shares with my bishop, coach and neighbor, Dolan. Thanks to Shirley and her choice family for wonderful memories. Bruce L. Olson
We have so enjoyed reading details of the rich, full life of your wonderful mother. And now she and your dad are together again, continuing to lift and bless everyone they encounter. How loved they are! The beautiful tributes speak to the light they radiated, light that pushed away the dark when we first moved into the Pleasant View 2nd Ward and warmed and inspired us all the ensuing years. May all the love and prayers (and knowing your parents are watching over you) comfort you during this tender time.
Judy Garvin and Jean Bishop
I just found out about Shirley’s passing. I served with her as a MTC missionary for several years. She & Dolan were the absolute best to serve with. I loved sitting next to her most of the time as we checked the missionaries immunization records. She talked about her children and grandchildren all the time. She was the first one I told at the MTC that I was going to have my first grandchild & she was so excited for me. I loved her & send you all my sincere condolences.
Shirley and my grandmother (Jenna Vee Hall) were sisters. Many of us never have the opportunity to meet, let alone remember our great aunts and uncles. Shirley and Dolan were ones that I will always love and remember. I remember visiting their home as a young boy and being struck by how welcomed and loved I felt. Their home was impeccably clean and organized and Shirley was always so elegant and dignified. Her personality was different than my grandmother’s, but when they were together there was no mistaking that they were sisters and loved each other.
When I went on my mission to Argentina, I flew from my home in California and Shirley and Dolan received me and let me stay the night with them. The next morning Shirley was my escort as I entered the MTC. At that time the MTC showed an introductory video to the missionaries and their families and Shirley stayed with me through it all. When it concluded, Shirley and I shared a joyful hug and off I went with a smile on my face as most of the others tearfully said their goodbyes. A few years later Shirley and Dolan again opened their house to me to stay with them the night before my wedding in the Salt Lake Temple.
I wish that I had done a better job at staying in touch with her after graduating from BYU and moving away. I am saddened by her passing, but happy thinking of her reunion with Dolan and the rest of her family. She was an incredible person, just like my grandmother in so many ways, which is a beautiful tribute to and reflection of their parents. One can only hope to leave the kind of influence in others as Shirley and the rest of the Palmers have done.