Joy Aubrey

Joy Aubrey, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2026, in Murray, UT. Born on June 15, 1940, in Park City, Utah, Joy was the cherished daughter of Benjamin Vernon Ryan and Edna Westerman Ryan.

Joy's father died when she was just 3 months old, leaving her mother to raise Joy and her brothers. Her family lived in a house on Capitol Hill that her grandfather built. In her youth, she spent time between Salt Lake City and Park City where she met the love of her life, Bert L. Aubrey. They were married on August 9, 1957 in Salt Lake City, UT. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple, sealing a love story that was as beautiful as it was enduring. They were married for 69 years. One of the greatest gifts our parents gave us was their love for one another. We never doubted it. It was the foundation of our happy home. Our dad lovingly called mom Joy-Joy.

Joy and Bert built a life filled with love, welcoming five children along the way. She was simply the best mom ever, giving all of us unconditional love, helping us through the ups and downs of life and teaching us how to live by her wonderful example. She prioritized her children and never missed a sporting event or school function that they were a part of. Mom had a funny sense of humor and she was a little mischievous too, which made our lives fun.

Her life was further enriched by her 15 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. She loved being a grandma and especially being a "Grandma-Great". Each new addition to the family brought her immense joy, and she cherished every moment spent with them. She loved supporting all of her grandkids in whatever they were involved in. She made Christmas magical every year, with family gatherings and her delicious cooking.

Joy was an accomplished seamstress, crafting dresses for her daughters and imaginative Halloween costumes. She enjoyed crocheting, puzzles, camping, and reading. She loved birds, especially hummingbirds, and waited every May for them to return to her sunny deck where she always had food waiting for them.

She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, with a deep and abiding testimony of her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Joy worked for the Salt Lake City School District as a lunch lady, and went on to be a manager with child food services. Her cooking and meal planning skills served her well in this career which she stayed with until her retirement.

In 1970, Joy and Bert remodeled and moved into the same house that her grandfather had built on Capitol Hill. They lived there for nearly 50 years. She loved her Desoto Street home, especially sitting on the porch with dad in the summer and enjoying the cool canyon breeze that always came through.

Joy was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Benjamin V. Ryan Jr., Ralph K. Ryan, Bruce N. Ryan and his wife Ila Ryan, her sister-in-law, Carol Berriochoa, and her husband, Hank Berriochoa, and most recently, her beloved grandson Nate Bird and great-grandchildren Addisyn, Rayda, Easton, and Francie Bird. She is survived by her devoted husband Bert, her children, Steven (Johna) Aubrey, Sharleen (Jim) Gresh, Barbara (Tom) Holtry, Jeri (Juan) Lay, and Ryan (Christy) Aubrey. She is also survived by 15 Grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, her sister-in-law, Mary Ryan, and many nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly.

A service to honor Joy's life will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at Larkin Mortuary-260 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT at 11:00 am with a viewing before the service from 9:30-10:45 am.

Those wishing to view the service via Zoom can click "Watch Service" or follow the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85373071349