Joyce Elaine Durham Larsen passed away June 30, 2022, after a joyful life. She was born December 21, 1931, to George H. and Mary Ellen (Nellie) Marsden Durham, 1123 Lake Street, Liberty Park 31st Ward. Her family, music, trips to her ancestral home in Parowan, and the beautiful Utah Parks colored her childhood days. From her gifted parents, Joyce enjoyed piano lessons, operas, symphonies, theater, great literature, a love for service, history, and the scriptures.
She survived the 1943 polio epidemic and graduated from East High having participated in debate, A’capella, Utah Girls State, and DAR. Her four happiest school years were the University of Utah where she was a member of Spurs, Cwean, Mortar Board, Beehive, Phi Kappa Phi, lettered in debate, choirs, institute, and Alpha Chi Omega. She was elected ASUU 1st Vice President and served as ASUU President, graduating with High Honors in Elementary Education 1953. Here she met a handsome Danish returned missionary, Boyd D. Larsen. They were married August 12, 1953, in the Salt Lake Temple with Elder LeGrand Richards officiating. They welcomed four wonderful children: David (Judy), Gregory (Tracy deceased, Sandra) Ann (Sau Fifita) Steven (Melanie).
Joyce is survived by 22 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Boyd D. Larsen, her parents, and siblings: G. Homer, Wilby, Lowell, Marsden, Wayne, Thomas LaMar and Jean Marie Durham.
Joyce was very grateful for her handcart pioneer heritage, priesthood leaders, her callings as Grant Stake Relief Society President, Ward Relief Society President, Church Correlation Committee member, teacher, and CES LDS Charity Missions to Fiji, Thailand, Mynamar and Cambodia. She was blessed to revisit these sites with the children and grandchildren.
With a “heart-felt thank you” Joyce expresses great appreciation for family and extended family, to Janet Durham Tate who brought Joyce’s journal to life, dear friend Phyllis Ensign, and her compassionate physician Dr. Reid B. Hales. We express a special thank you to Valeo hospice care for their service during the last several months.
Everyone please “Carry on.”
A celebration of her life will be held July 9th at 10:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3400 South 11th East. There is a viewing at the Church from 9 -9:45 AM prior to the service.
Joyce’s family will be pleased to welcome friends and family at the church on Friday July 8th, from 6-8 pm. Burial will be Elysian Gardens. Joyce invites those who wish to wear a splash of “green” her favorite color.
Grateful to know you in Cambodia 20 years ago. You are always a good example to follow. Thank you for leaving so much love and smile to the world. I will miss you so much.
Dear my grandma Larsen, please konw that I always love you ! I always miss you! I feel right now you are living in heaven with God, as you told me the plan of happiness. I bless you always live in pleasure, peace and Joyce.
I just learned of Sister Larsen’s passing today. In my mind she was an elect lady. I found her so pleasant, positive, happy, and gracious. We had a number of chats over the years regarding family challenges. Our connection goes back many years and through many family acquaintances. My life is richer and fuller from my association with her and two special sons, Greg and Steven.
I had the privilege of serving as Joyce's mission president in the Bangkok Thailand mission. She was such a joy to serve with and blessed countless lives. I have had several opportunities to be with her since then and each time she radiated love to all of us. She will be sorely missed...because she was deeply loved - including by Sister Goodman and I
We send our love and prayers to the family. We feel so blessed to have known Joyce. She was truly an amazing woman,
Sending love to all of the family. I have fond memories of interacting with Aunt Joyce at many extended family gatherings through the years, especially of her radiant, intelligent smile. She was a role model for me and radiated love, confidence, and faith. I know she had a close relationship with my Dad, George, and his two sisters, and I was privileged to join on occasion for their regular lunches. We will all miss her!
You will be missed greatly!! Joyce was always so happy and full of love and life. I am sure heaven is celebrating your arrival along with your husband's arms open for you. Thanks for your wonderful example of a faithful life. Love you!!!
-Joyce is my great aunt-
So sorry to hear of Joyce's passing, but also I am happy for her in rejoining with her loved ones in the Spirit World. She was such a wonderful friend and lady who was an influence for good wherever she served. May the Lord bless your family at this time in remembering her and appreciating all that she did.
Joyce Larsen was my friend and mentor. I was secretary to the Correlation Department and saw her great work on the Church’s Correlation Committee. I know she is a wonderful daughter of God.
What a blessing to have such a wonderful Aunt. It was a privilege to help with her journal and to spend so much time together, laughing and reminiscing. I learned of many of her incredible accomplishments, and I was impressed with her missionary service after Uncle Boyd died. Her love of Thailand inspired me to want to visit there some day. Her testimony, which was written and personalized for each member of her family, was heart felt with great love and faith. Aunt Joyce put a lot of herself into each of her relationships, and she truly loved her parents and siblings, her children and grandchildren--every niece, nephew, and friend. Her passing brings a tear to my eye, but lots more smiles and happiness for her ongoing journey! We will miss you, but we will remember your legacy of faith.
Aunt Joyce was such a treasure. I always loved receiving her emails as well as updates via her nephew George. She was a bright light and I have such fond memories of her from throughout my young life. Sending love and peace to Joyce's children, extended family, and friends. Just a few weeks ago my dad brought some books from Aunt Joyce to my son Marsden; the books were books that Joyce's brother Marsden had given her as a young girl and she thought our Marsden would enjoy seeing and having them. I'm sure there have been many happy reunions beyond. Sending love! Troy, Kathleen, and family (Seattle, WA)
A wonderful women and friend.
I am sorry to hear about Joyce's passing but I know she is in a better place.
When we moved into the Grant 12th ward she was the first to welcome us
I have a great respect for her and what a great woman she was
Our Aunt Joyce is our most recent matriarch. She brought joy to the hearts of hundreds of us who claim her. She always wears a smile and beautiful listening ears. The little ones quickly learned that if you remembered her name, it was worth a dollar. Everyone knows Aunt Joyce for her beauty, wisdom, kindness and unrestrained love. She is everyone's greatest fan. She had her share of bumps in the road, that she bravely and cheerfully weathered. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
We feel entirely blessed to have known such a wonderful woman whose kindness made all the difference in our lives for so many years. She was a treasure, truly a legend in her tireless good works. We loved her dearly and we will miss her sorely. We will remember her often and fondly, and treasure all that she shared that brought joy and beauty to our neighborhood, and then enthusiastically extended it to all the world. She was pure class. We send each of her family all our love and heartfelt sympathy. Her amazing legacy of cheerful service and unending love will live on through you.
Great Aunt Joyce was truly great. She treated each person she interacted with as if they were the most important person in the world. Whenever I saw her, she knew my name, knew who I belonged to, and wanted to know all about what was happening in my life. I always admired her sense of adventure, her disregard for age (she could be friends with anyone and it seemed she could do anything), and her absolute genuine love for others. She was everything I hope to be. It was a blessing to know her and be known by her. Her example of motherhood, teaching and her love of life will not be forgotten.