Joy Smith Peterson

1927 ~ 2023


Viewing

11677 South Grandville Ave., South Jordan, Utah
Apr 26, 2023 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Funeral Service

11677 South Grandville Ave., South Jordan, Utah
Apr 27, 2023 11:00 AM

Funeral Service - Virtual Attendance

Click "Watch Services" link below
Apr 27, 2023 11:00 AM

Joy Smith Peterson, 95, passed away at her South Jordan Utah home on April 20, 2023. She was born in Salt Lake City on July 5, 1927 to Vera Leggett and Paul Roberts Smith. She was raised in Centerville, Utah until she was high school age when she moved to Salt Lake City with her mother. She continued to commute to Davis High School where she graduated in 1945. She then attended the University of Utah where she met her sweetheart William (Bill) David Peterson. They were married on September 18, 1947.

Joy and her husband Bill settled in Price, Utah where they began to raise a family. She joined the faculty at the College of Eastern Utah in 1961, teaching physical education and dance. She pioneered the women’s athletic program at CEU and began to establish and coach competitive intercollegiate teams in five sports. She was the women’s athletic director and continued to teach a full-time schedule. During her time at CEU she also directed the women’s precision drill team, the “Blue Debs”, and the cheerleaders. She also founded the dance company “PEDS”. In addition to all that, she held leadership positions in regional and national athletic organizations. She retired from CEU in 1987. She touched thousands of individuals. She said, “I loved teaching on the college level. I believe there is no greater accomplishment than being able to teach a person new skills, encouraging them to make good use of their talents and making them aware of the excitement to be found in dance, sports, and physical fitness”.

Joy was also involved in the community, including being the choreographer and dance director for many community musical productions. Later she volunteered to help in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. She was assigned to be the handler for one of the mascots, the bear named “Coal”. Family was always first with Joy and she supported all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren’s athletic and dance endeavors. Joy loved to travel with family and friends. Her journeys took her to Europe, China, South America, Mexico, Canada and throughout the United States.

A life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served as a missionary guide in the Salt Lake Conference Center for eight years. She especially enjoyed her time there until health prevented her from continuing.

Joy’s family would like to express their love and appreciation to her Sagewood family for their tender loving care over the past several months.
Joy was preceded in death by her husband William in 1995. She is survived by her children Shawnda (Duane) Bishop, David (Connie) Peterson, and Sherrie (Maurice) Brown. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 27, at 11 am in the Grandville Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 11677 South Grandville Ave., South Jordan, Utah 84009. Friends may call at the Grandville Chapel on Wednesday evening between 6-8 pm, and again Thursday prior to services beginning at 9:30 am. Interment will be in the Huntsville Utah Cemetery at approximately 2:30 pm. It will be preceded by a brief graveside service.

Funeral services will be streamed via Zoom for those wishing to attend virtually. To watch the previously held streamed funeral services, please click the "Watch Services" link above.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of the following:

American Diabetes Association at https://diabetes.org

National Multiple Sclerosis Society at https://nationalmssociety.org

Lupus Foundation of America at https://lupus.org


Guestbook/Condolences

We send our sympathies and condolences! It was a pleasure to know her.💕


- Lewis & Sharon Gardiner

We are sincerely sorry for your loss. Joy was an amazing women. She would be greatly missed by everyone that knew her.


- The Bell Family

Your mother/grandmother/great grandmother was such a vivacious lady to be around!! I always enjoyed her immensely. My condolences to all the family. She will be deeply missed.


- Steve & Sherrie Bourne Madsen

Joy was a great friend to me. We loved watching sporting events etc together! She was a wonderful neighbor to have in my later years. I am so.grateful for her friendship and love. We have remained friends even after moving from Daybreak and I will miss her phone calls and friendship.


- Donna Merrill

I was just thinking about Joy a few days ago. Wondering about her. Joy was one of my favorite people. Such a great influence and example. So grateful to have been one of her Blue Debs. Took tap from her in college as well. So many wonderful memories while growing up of the Petersons. Love you all.
Linda Bryson Callor


- Linda Callor

The Peterson's were our across-the-street neighbors for years. I took many a dance and baton lesson in her basement and was also a member of the Blue Debs. She was an amazing woman, sending you all my deepest condolences.


- Janice (Jones) Martinsen

So grateful to have known Joy when I was attending CEU. She was a wonderful teacher and friend. Love you and thankful for all the good memories ❤️


- Patti Massman Pinedo

I have such fond memories of Joy! I loved being in Blue Debs. She helped me so much throughout my life! I will cherish her and our memories forever!!


- Laurie Branch

I had the privilege of being one of Joy’s “Blue Debs” while attending the College of Eastern Utah. We had fun! She was brilliant, talented, creative, and oh how she got us to perform. Some of my fondest memories in life happened within the walls of that gym. Thank you dear Peterson family for sharing Joy with me. Bless you during this difficult time.


- Pam Walton Peperone

Words can’t say the love I have for Joy and the Peterson family. Joy was a second mother to me and Dave is my best friend. The memories of your family , I will cherish for ever. I know we will see Bill and Joy again, and again share good times. Life seems all too short, and I’m thankful for the wonderful people in my life, and you folks are the best. God bless you all. Joy will be missed.
Love, Steve Holding


- Steve Holding

Joy and my mom, Shirley, were not only cousins, but great friends. Mom loved traveling with Joy because she was so energetic and game for anything. I picture them both together again doing all kinds of fun things, probably traveling the universe. It is so hard to lose this generation of people, especially special ones like Joy, but I'm sure she is bringing joy to so many on the other side. It has been fun continuing this connection with her family through Shawnda. My children (Riley, Miranda, and Abby), love you, Shawnda and they thought the world of "Grandma Joy". Such fun memories with all of you! We're so happy we get to say we're related. I'm looking forward to eternity and being together with all of these wonderful people.


- Lisa Riley Bradshaw

Your Special Mother was a great friend and I loved her. She was so beautiful in her casket all ready to see her sweetheart. Joy was a special lady and very talented. I know you will miss her as will her friends. May you all be happy for her and her next adventure. I will continue to keep your family in my prayers as you need help and healing in the coming days. Remember that families can be together forever with Heavenly Father’s plan. Joy was a blessing to everyone.


- Jackie Rushton

Your Special Mother was a great friend and I loved her. She was so beautiful in her casket all ready to see her sweetheart. Joy was a special lady and very talented. I know you will miss her as will her friends. May you all be happy for her and her next adventure. I will continue to keep your family in my prayers as you need help and healing in the coming days. Remember that families can be together forever with Heavenly Father’s plan. Joy was a blessing to everyone.


- Jackie Rushton

I have such wonderful memories of Joy and my two years at CEU where I was privileged to be apart of the Blue Debs. Joy was such a taskmaster and wanted nothing but perfection from us. I learned great discipline from her and a desire to keep going even when it was difficult. What a wonderful legacy she has left her posterity. I smile just thinking about her.


- Shelly Woodruff Craig

Condolences from our family on the loss of your mother.
Ron & Linda Holding


- Ron Holding

An icon and mentor has departed.

Love and hugs to comfort those left behind. The transition from presence to absence is not easy.


- Miriam Smith

I loved Joy. She was my dance teacher from eight years old and then I was on her drill team BLUE DEBS for 2 years in college. She made me who I am today. I retired from the FBI after 27 years and the confidence she built in me helped me with an incredible career all over the world. She was loved and respected by so many.


- Cheryl Ray (NAY)