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1941 Viola "Vi" 2025

Viola "Vi" M. Pinkston

December 11, 1941 — July 14, 2025

Viola M. “Vi” Pinkston, 83, a long-time resident of Layton, Utah, passed away peacefully at home after a short battle with an aggressive cancer.

Born December 11, 1941, in Tremonton, Utah, Vi was the oldest child of Luella V. Lish and Aubrey Slatter. She was soon legally adopted by her father, Wayne William Manning, and two more siblings followed shortly thereafter, William “Billy” and Gary.

At the age of 2, Vi contracted polio and spent 11 months in the hospital. After several surgeries, including in high school, she fully overcame this affliction, but did walk throughout her whole life with a slight limp few people even noticed.

As a child, Vi was raised around the world while her father served in the United States Air Force. Her early years were spent in Japan and Hawaii, which she truly loved. The family later settled in Sunset, Utah where she spent her Senior Class Year, graduating from Davis High School, Class of 1959.

One of the greatest joys of her life was caring for her little brothers and watching them grow up. Viola was particularly fond of her maternal Lish family cousins, aunts, and uncles, who were many, as her mother was one of 13 children.

After graduating from high school, she married Benjamin Joseph “Ben” Mendoza and loved being a homemaker and mother. They settled in Layton and raised their family there.

They later divorced.

Vi married Edward Pinkston in 1988, and they later divorced.

Vi’s primary vocation was working as a civil servant at Hill Air Force Base in the F-16 program as an Item Manager.

After retiring, Vi loved to paint and draw, watch Jeopardy and her soap operas, and spend time with her family. She also was an avid reader who enjoyed non-fiction and biographies. She loved sports and really enjoyed traveling. A huge Jazz fan, sports radio was on most of the day, every day.

She completely spoiled her grandchildren, going to their athletic events and dance performances, as she loved celebrating their many achievements.

Vi will be remembered for her generosity, kindness, inviting and welcoming nature, and for her sense of humor. She had a great, loving personality.

The family thanks all the staff of A Plus Hospice for their kind and professional care of our Mom.

Vi is survived by her children, Brian D. Mendoza, Riverdale; Alicia N. Mendoza, Layton; and Don (Christie) Mendoza, also of Layton; 9 grandchildren; by her brother, Gary (Debbie) Manning, Syracuse.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother, Billy.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 21st, 2025, at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd., Layton.

Friends may visit family from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 20th and Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.

Interment, Lindquist Washington Heights Memorial Park, Good Shepherd Abbey, 4500 Washington Blvd., Ogden.

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Service Schedule

Upcoming Services

Visitation

Sunday, July 20, 2025

6:00 - 8:00 pm (Mountain time)

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Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary

1867 North Fairfield Road, Layton, UT 84041

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Visitation

Monday, July 21, 2025

9:30 - 10:30 am (Mountain time)

Add to Calendar

Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary

1867 North Fairfield Road, Layton, UT 84041

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Funeral Service

Monday, July 21, 2025

Starts at 11:00 am (Mountain time)

Add to Calendar

Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary

1867 North Fairfield Road, Layton, UT 84041

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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