Joyce Nelson

Joyce Nelson, our loving sister, aunt, and friend, passed away on July 3, 2012 from the effects of pancreatic cancer. Joyce was an elegant, intelligent, witty, and generous woman who deeply loved her family and friends and who saw the good in everyone. Joyce was born in Tremonton, Utah on June 28, 1935 to Edgar and Janet Nelson. She lost her father at the tender age of 10 and was raised by her mother to work hard, to value education, and to love the gospel of Jesus Christ. She served an LDS mission in Australia and throughout her life, she fulfilled many callings in her ward and stake, including the Young Women’s LDS General Board from 1967 to 1971. Joyce earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Utah State University in 1957 and a Master of Science degree from Florida State University in 1972. She was a gifted educator, always learning, exploring, questioning, and seeking new knowledge. She was an inspiration to her students, spending most of her career at Provo High School and Brigham Young University where she earned many accolades and awards over more than 40 years of teaching. Her students remember her as a highly intelligent woman and a brilliant teacher. But even more, they remember her as someone who genuinely cared about each student individually. She thrilled in their accomplishments and she worried in their challenges. Joyce loved to travel and had experiences all over the world. She was well-informed and enjoyed talking about politics. She loved shopping for beautiful clothes, jewelry, shoes, and books….many, many books. More than anything, Joyce loved her family and she was the best Aunt anyone could imagine. Her 2 great-nieces, Mandy and Melissa, and her 4 great-nephews, Brady, Eric, Ryan, and Jeff, were the lights of her life. They had great fun together in Park City, going on trips to the zoo, feeding the ducks, going shopping, and generally being spoiled. They knew that she loved them unconditionally and she was so proud of each of them. Joyce endured the pain of her illness with a patience and grace to be admired. We love her very much and we are grateful for her example and for all the fun times and many memories we shared. Joyce has left our family much too soon, but we are comforted to know of the great reunion she is having with her beloved sister, Joan, and her parents. Joyce is survived by her brothers, Carl (Marlene) and James; her nephew, Mike (Lauri Jan); her nieces, Lynn (Kelly) and Laurie (Don); and her 6 great-nieces and nephews. Joyce also leaves behind many treasured friends whom she dearly loved.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 9, 2012 at the Centerville LDS Chapel, 437 West Porter Lane, where a viewing will be held 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment-Logan City Cemetery.