Monica Palma Gardner

Monica Palma Gardner died suddenly and unexpectedly the early morning of Thursday July 17, 2025 in her apartment in West Valley City, Utah. She was 40 years old.

Monica was born on January 24, 1985 at Magee-Women’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. She is survived by her father Guy Gardner (Susan) currently residing in California and her mother Regina (Gina) Drollinger (Patrick) currently residing in Missouri. Monica is also survived by sister Rebecca Berger (Zachary), brother Lee Gardner (Anna) and sister Katy Klamp (Brian).

Monica graduated high school in Ashland, Massachusetts, attended Junior college in both Butler, Pennsylvania and Mesa, Arizona. Monica graduated from BYU Hawaii with a bachelors degree, then earned a Juris Doctor degree from BYU Law school in Provo, Utah.

While in law school, Monica served as an intern in the Accra Ghana Area Presidency office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Monica was an organizer of the BYU sponsored international Law and Religion Symposium for several years. She also has worked with The Arbinger Institute.

Interested in mental health issues, Monica lead mental health group sessions. She has also mentored and consulted on mental health issues. And most of all Monica was a great friend to many!

Monica loved Jesus Christ, the concept of eternal families and the plan of salvation. She tried to live a Christ-like life, treating everyone fairly. Monica enjoyed attending the Orem LDS Temple weekly. Monica tried to read the scriptures most days to understand what they meant to her and adjusted her life accordingly. She put great efforts in doing things that Jesus would do.

Monica was a loving person. She tried to help others, even amidst the many challenges she faced in her life. Monica showed Christlike love to all she could. Many people have benefited from Monica’s sweet spirit, selflessness, intuition, and consulting skills. Monica was a unique light to the world in a day and age where darkness seems to prevail.

Monica loved animals. In lieu of flowers, Monica would appreciate you donating time or money to your local animal shelter.

Monica’s viewing will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday July 26th 2025 at the LDS chapel at 500 South 600 West, Orem, Utah. Her funeral service will follow at 11:00 at the same location. After the funeral service, her burial will be at the Santaquin City Cemetery.