Joanne Robbins

Joanne Robbins, a valiant disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, passed peacefully into the loving arms of her beloved ancestors on Sunday, June 16, 2024.

Born June 28, 1935, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Edythe Lovena Christensen and Burtis France Robbins. She loved her parents and adored her four older siblings, Edythe Rae (Keith Tollstrup), Francine (J. William “Bill” Stewart), Burtis “Bud” (Jayne Weggeland), and Elaine (Richard E. “Dick” Harris). Theirs was an idyllic childhood. During the school year the family lived in town at their home on South Temple Street. The summers were spent at their “farm” in East Millcreek. The values of hard work, love of nature and the arts, and family loyalty were strongly engrained during these formative years.

In 1952, Joanne was sealed in the Salt Lake Temple to Robert Pratt Romney, with whom she had five children, Elizabeth Carol, (Timothy J. Funk), Catherine (died 1976), Mary Louise (Allen M. Hughes), Robert (died 1967), and Brooklynn (Trenton O. Hyde). Raising her children was the most joyous and challenging experience of her life.

Joanne had a special and unique relationship with each of her seven grandchildren. And a soft spot in her heart for each of her nine great grandchildren. She was a loyal friend and a lifelong champion of the underdog. She listened carefully to people and connected with them on significant levels.

Joanne was sealed to V. Ben Bloxham in 1993. She had always loved her ancestors and during her time with Ben she was able to visit the birthplaces of many of them. Learning their stories became a passion of hers.

A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joanne held a variety of church callings. Some she particularly enjoyed were Relief Society Teacher, Special Needs Seminary Teacher, and Relief Society Minister.

From the time she was a young girl she appreciated fine art and literature. She had an extensive book collection which she shared liberally. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Utah when she was 70 years old. Although she lost her eyesight in her later years, she continued to take piano lessons, memorizing each individual chord, until one month prior to her death on June 16, 2024.

Joanne passed away peacefully in the home of her daughter, Brooke Hyde, after a short, unexpected illness. She loved deeply and was loved deeply by many, and she will be missed. We are grateful for her example of faith, courage, and a willingness to submit to the Lord’s will.

Visitations and funeral services will be at the Little Cottonwood 5th Ward Building, 6350 South Rodeo Lane, Murray, Utah, 84121.

Visitations: Friday, June 28 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 29 prior to the funeral service from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Funeral Service: Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.

Those who wish to view the COMPLETED service via Zoom can click "Watch Service" or follow the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/TtArSHZKT22g_q_WIl_tKGI--x8jmjJiLoduj5DnGWA_toMJ9Top98pE2Roh9N9j.bVyNMVj8cuFpchXO?startTime=1719679215000