Joan Peterson Fisher

IDA JOAN PETERSON FISHER began a new journey through fields of heavenly flowers on June 14, 2026. She passed peacefully, surrounded by family, the day after her 87th birthday, fittingly able to celebrate her glorious life on both sides of the veil. She was born to Charles Eric (Chuck) Peterson and Harriet May Robison on June 13, 1939, in Niagara Falls, New York and was raised in Provo, Utah. Joan attended and thrived at BY High School, where she met Milton Byron Fisher, Jr., and then graduated from Brigham Young University in elementary education. Joan and Byron were active in their BYU social units (Joan – Cami Los, and Byron -Vikings) and maintained many of these beautiful friendships for the rest of their lives. Joan adored her BYU Cougars her entire life; from the Knot-Hole Gang to Graduate with Honors, from the Cougar Club Board to BYU Alumni President in 1989. She loved her Provo family roots, and is survived by her brothers, Charlie (Jan), Kent (Diane), and Steve (Kathy) Peterson.

Joan and Byron were married and sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple June 9, 1960. The energy of their love is an inspiration to all who know them. After living in Washington, DC for law school, they returned to the Salt Lake valley, and Joan made warm and inviting homes on Culter Road and Merlyn Circle. She gave life and direction to her 5 children and is survived by them: Debra Joan Morgan (Tom), Michael Byron Fisher (Crystal Richey), Janae Powell (Brian), Sharlene Taylor (Brian), and Peter Charles Fisher (Nicole Fountaine). Motherhood was Joan’s lifework. Her homes and neighborhoods became the gardens to cultivate her prized children and support their interests through music, culinary arts, scholastics, relationships, church and community service, athletics, outdoor experiences, and more. She was an accomplished vocalist, pianist, and harpist; encouraging all her children to sing and play instruments. She served as a member and board member and President of the Utah Chapter of the National Charity League. In 1968, as a mother of three, Byron nominated Joan for the Mrs. Utah pageant. She was crowned Mrs. Utah and then Mrs. America 1969, representing a community and country of women and mothers. She traveled the globe with this accolade and then continued to immerse herself in the countries and cultures of the world, yet declared that the most fulfilling places she has ever been are the trails of the Wasatch and the Family’s Alta Cabin she helped build herself. Her husband will tell you she is the best powder skier on the hill in the winter, and her children and grandchildren know that she always stops to smell the flowers and name all of them in the summer.

At retirement, Joan convinced Byron to join her in building her dream oasis in the shadow of Watchman Tower just outside of Zion National Park. She took up motorcycling and hiking in the southwest deserts, and with Byron, visited all of the US National Parks. They opened their home and the warmth of their enthusiastic love to family and friends continually. Of course, Joan jumped into this new role of naturalist, comforter, and community champion. She accepted and served in most every calling available to Latter-Day Saint women, and thrived as Road-Show Director. She and Byron served missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Brazil (2001-2002) and Mexico (2007-2008). Whatever the service, Joan could get it accomplished with enthusiasm and love. She championed Utah’s great arts; from promoting the Utah Symphony, the Utah Opera, and Ballet West, to decorating Byron’s pottery.

Joan’s last flower garden on Earth would be beneath her beloved Wasatch in their Brookstone condominium in Salt Lake City. Here she became a beloved and happy matriarch: adoring, providing, and participating in the lives of her children, 18 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. Along with cheering on her Cougars at any opportunity, she became the biggest fan of her children and grandchildren’s contests, concerts, and presentations. She held Byron’s hand as he passed and charged him to tend to their next flower garden. She cherishes her many friends and leaves a legacy of kindness, love, and service. Her greatest joy is sharing this good life with her family.

Funeral services will be held at Joan and Byron’s home ward chapel at 6350 South Rodeo Lane, Murray, Utah. Friends and Family Greetings: Thursday 6:00pm – 8:00pm, June 25, 2026; and Friday 9:30am – 10:30am, June 26, 2026. Funeral: Saturday 11:00am, Friday June 26, 2026. Interment: Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road, Sandy, Utah. Please stop by and smell the flowers.