Joyce Garrett Hammer

Joyce Garrett Hammer, age 82, formerly of Penn Valley, CA, passed away March 20, 2024, after a valiant battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.  

Joyce was a graduate of Birmingham High School (Van Nuys, CA) in 1959. 

Joyce embodied the ideal of being adaptable and continually seized new opportunities as they opened to her.  Beginning her career as a successful realtor in Southern California, she then changed tacks entirely once she moved her family to Penn Valley in the 1980s.  She recognized the potential of personal computing and set up and taught the very first computer lab at Pleasant Valley School.    Years later, with the emergence of digital video editing, she began working in that field, rising eventually to lead quality control and travel the world working trade shows and supporting clients all over the country.  

She loved teaching, whether it be the children in her lab or seniors who couldn’t understand how to use the internet.  Joyce was selfless with her time and her talents.  Her most important students were her family, who learned strength, kindness, humor, resilience, compassion, selflessness, and love beyond all else.  

She loved being a wife, mother, grandmother, companion, mentor, and friend.  She enjoyed gardening, cooking, traveling, video editing, any type of puzzle, and fixing whatever went wrong on your computer.   Even in her battle with dementia, she touched the lives of so many with her laughter and smile, which never dimmed.   

She is preceded in death by her beloved parents, Thomas and Leda Garite, and her first husband Pat Garrett.  She is survived by her daughter Patti Hatch (Michael), grandchildren Logan and Lauren, brothers Thomas Garite (Ginger), Richard Garite (Karin), Robert Garite (Shelley) and her partner Gary Hammer.  

She also leaves behind an amazing army of angels who were her personal aides for the last few years of her life. They will be forever family.

A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, March 30^th, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Farmington City Cemetery, 200 East 500 South, Farmington, Utah.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 30^th, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Hazel Floral Co. and Event Center, 74 N Fort Lane, Layton UT 84041.  

Flowers may be sent care of Russon Mortuary, 295 N. Main St, Bountiful, UT 84010.