Joan Taylor Soderstrom

Joan Taylor Soderstrom 1921 ~ 2004  Our dear and loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Joan Taylor Soderstrom, passed away Friday evening, March 12, 2004, at age 82. Joan, daughter of Clinton and Nell Taylor, was born March 15, 1921, in Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up and went to school with her sister Ann, on a dairy farm near Woodstock, Connecticut. She graduated from Brown University, RI, Colorado College, CO, and Idaho State University, ID, with a Masters in Education. She married Carl Soderstrom and had three children Karen, Don and Chris. After her divorce, she went on to a rewarding career as a high school and junior high teacher for the next 28 years, retiring at age 64. She truly enjoyed her retirement years, caring for her beautiful home, working in her garden, visiting with friends and families, traveling in the US and abroad, and being involved in her community. Our mother was an awesome lady. She was strong, intelligent, capable, and independent. She faced life's challenges and adversities with calmness, patience and determination. She was an intellectual with an inquiring mind who was a patron of the arts, a contributor to the library, a leader of Great Debate groups, a learner and educator to the core of her spirit.  She was creative and loved her photography, both in teaching classes at the college, taking pictures on her many trips, and photographing and developing pictures for shows, friends and family. She was an adventurer, who loved to travel, taking many trips to Europe, Eastern Europe, and southern Africa and making friends throughout her travels. Joan cared deeply for her family and friends, helping them in so many ways, whether in spirit, companionship, counselor, teacher, or provider. She often supported those in need, with gifts and finances.  Friendship was ageless to her. Young to old enjoyed her laughter, patience, and wisdom. Often the comments were: "What a strong figure she was to me." or "One could not know Joan without being changed for the better, without becoming More than one was before." Those who met her, knew her, worked with her--never were the same again. Even those who did not know her, only of her and her life, were impacted by this remarkable woman. She is survived by her children, Karen, Don, and Chris (residing in Oregon, Colorado, and Utah, respectively), her son-in-law Ron and grandson Ryan; her sister Ann and her nephews and their families, Whitney, Clay, Tom, and Annie, of Vermont, Maryland, and Montana. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 20, 2004 at 2:00 p.m., with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m., at Valley View Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City.  Condolences may be emailed to the family at: joantraveler21@yahoo.com Friends may visit www.mem.com and view a biography, tributes and images of Joan.