JoAnn Maurita Miles Ward

Our loving wife, mother and Nana, Joann M. Ward passed away in her home on February 27, 2023.
As a child with many temporary places that were never quite a home, JoAnn put her heart and soul into creating beautiful homes filled with love and memories for the people she cherished most. Each home she created was a tribute to her dynamic spirit, her appreciation of safety and her drive to provide a sense of "home" for all she could, a no more fitting place for her to rest and pass on to her eternal home surrounded by those that love her.
The beautiful, Catholic, OHS Tiger met and fell hard for the handsome, Seminary President at Weber High. Their union was truly made in heaven, their love for each other was a rare and amazing gift. They were married on February 24, 1956, and were sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan Temple in 1961. From that marriage came their treasured children, Kari (Scott) Hall, Michael (Barbara) Ward, Erin (Tim) Critchlow, Lori (Chris) Lee, the late Mike Lee and Jodi (Mark) Mikulecky. When her first grand was born she became "Nana" forever, and oh what a Nana she was to her 19 precious "grands" Ben, Niki, Alexa, Laura, Lindsey, Carson, Preston, Landon and Eliza, Erika, Skyler, Megan, Samantha, Cade and Eric, Matt, Rachel, Zack and Kai. Nana was the ultimate "Memory Maker" with matching coats, cabbage patch kids, hugs, advice, Halloween parties, Christmas Parties, scavenger hunts, birthday parties, a party for every occasion and always with the most beautiful decorations, sleepovers, Lake Powell, Disneyland, and sprinkles in every card she sent. Her greatest gift as Nana is that every grand knew they were her favorite.
People from all walks of life were drawn to her and wanted to be her friend, and she cared deeply about each one. From the Pleasant View 3rd Ward, their crazy fun study group, to her most treasured lifelong friends the retired rockets, and her bridge girls.
Our mother embodied service, not because she was compelled to do it, but because she sought after it. She volunteered at the Cancer information center, hospice, Beehive House, teaching etiquette classes, being "Clarissa" to the everyday acts of service and kindness, meals, notes, sitting with Birdie and others, etc. Her greatest act of service and sacrifice was when she was called with her eternal companion as mission presidents to the Micronesia Guam Mission. She loved being a mission mom and cared about each missionary as her own. She loved her Savior and the gospel and tried to exemplify Him in her life and many church callings.
How grateful we are to have been loved and cherished by Nana, her legacy of service, love for our dad, and love of family will be what we all strive to emulate in our homes. We love you Nana.
She is survived by her children, grandchildren, 24 great grands (with 2 on the way) and her cherished brother Gordon Lamar Valdez.
She was proceeded in death by her mother Maurita Valdez, stepfather Louis Valdez, son in law Mike Lee and her soulmate Ray, how joyous was that reunion in heaven!
Private family services will be held, with a celebration of life at a later day.
The family wishes to thank Myers Mortuary and A Plus Health Care, with a special thanks to Alyx and Debbie for their care in the last two weeks of her life.
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