JoAnn Gillette Bay, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 5, 2018, surrounded by her family. JoAnn was born April 13, 1929 in Tooele, Utah to Samuel Lindberg Gillette and Zelpha Ursula Jones. She was the second of four children. She was preceded in death by her parents, her oldest brother Larry and two of her grandchildren. JoAnn graduated from Tooele High School, and attended Utah State University and the University of Utah. She married Francis McMurrin Bay on February 14, 1950 in the Salt Lake Temple. They spent 68 years together in mortality. JoAnn leaves a wonderful posterity, which includes eight children and their spouses, 34 grandchildren, 74 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her lifetime of service included work as a teacher, Young Women's President, and temple ordinance worker with her husband in the Jordan River Temple and many other callings. She served with her husband in the Arizona Phoenix Mission during his time as the Mission President, where she was beloved by countless missionaries, members and non-members alike. She and Mac served as directors of the Church Historical sites in New York. They also served a family history mission together in Arizona. Her faith was unwavering, and she was an example as she showed unconditional love and forgiveness to all. We will all remember her as a prayerful, spiritual, faithful and devoted follower of Christ. Her often quiet behind the scenes service became a lesson to everyone with whom she came in contact. We will miss her sweet, forgiving, and meek spirit.
JoAnn's patient, graceful, loving soul created special bonds between her and her posterity, particularly the young people. Everyone loved spending time with Grandma. She showed great compassion and kindness and was always willing to listen and provided quiet wise counsel. She demonstrated great perseverance, organization and discipline throughout her life in every endeavor she tried. While we will miss her, we know that glorious reunions are taking place in the spirit world, where JoAnn has been reunited with her parents, her brother, and countless other friends and family. She taught us all about the plan of salvation, as she talked excitedly about her next great adventure.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 11, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. in the Sandy Utah Granite View Stake Center, 9880 South 3100 East, Sandy, Utah 84092. From 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. the family will be available for visits prior to the services. Burial will be in the Larkins Sunset Garden Cemetery in Sandy.
