Joan Lee Griffiths

 

Joan Lee Griffiths, beloved, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed from this life on September 15, 2023.  She was born in Payson, Utah on September 19, 1933; the daughter of George Spencer and Minnie Ogden Lee.  Her first 12 years were spent in the tiny town of Holden, Utah where she attended grades one through six at Holden Elementary.  Then, her family moved to Provo, Utah where she completed her education at Lincoln Junior and Senior High Schools.  It was during her sophomore year of high school that she caught the attention of a handsome and popular senior, Leor Griffiths.  They met while participating in a school play (Brother Goose) and it was love at first sight. 

Five months after their marriage in the Logan Temple on August 30, 1950, Leor received a call to serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Central States Mission.   While he served, Joan went on to graduate from Lincoln High and to deliver their first child, Christine. 

Later, three more children (Floyd, David, and Annette) joined the family as Leor completed his education at BYU.  Joan was busy with family, church service, and supporting Leor all of which she accomplished with her characteristic love and devotion, despite varied issues with her health.  Early on, she nurtured a love for reading in her children and set the example through her own lifetime practice of daily reading.

The family moved to California and then back to Utah as Leor was employed in the aerospace industry.  Eventually, they made their home in Highland, Utah where all of the children grew to maturity under Joan’s watchful care.  Also, during this time. Leor changed careers.  With two business partners, he managed the development of two major recreational property developments in the Uintah Mountains.  Joan spent many hours traveling to and from the project and helping out in whatever way she could.  Their love and support of one another was key to establishing a family based on love, mutual respect, and perseverance.  Their family was knit together in an enduring fabric that continues on even though both Leor and Joan have now left us.

Joan’s health was always a concern.  Despite her many hardships, she made an effort to always put on a cheery face and reflect a positive outlook on life.  She was by nature a very giving person; generous to a fault.  In that spirit, she devoted many hours of service in the church and community.  Among other church callings, she served for many years as scribe for Leor, recording hundreds of patriarchal blessings.  She was devoted to family history; gathering and organizing family records was a passion.  She and Leor also served a mission to the San Jose, Costa Rica Mission where they were instrumental in preparing Honduras for the creation of its first stake. 

In her later years, she and Leor made homes in the St. George area of Southern Utah and ultimately in Cove, Utah in Cache Valley.  It was there that she and Leor both completed their earthly missions.  We love her and we will miss her.   

Joan is survived by her children and their spouses:  Christine (Kevin) Branch, Floyd (Alison) Griffiths, David (Barbara) Griffiths, and Annette (Ben) Hadfield.  In addition, there are 20 grandchildren and 66 great grandchildren as well as a brother, Larry Lee (Joan), a sister, Lillian Anderson, a brother-in-law, Jim Griffiths (Shauna), and a sister-in-law, Arlene Lee.  She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and many other wonderful family members.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 12 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel located at 2900 Timpview Drive in Provo, Utah.  Family and friends are invited to attend a viewing from 10:30 to 11:30 with family prayer at 11:45 and the funeral service at 12:00.  A graveside service will follow at East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery in Provo.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com

 

Services will be streamed live and can be viewed by clicking on the following link:

https://youtube.com/live/PRDSYQPAWH8?feature=share