Joyce Beverly Johnson Taylor (born August 4, 1926 in Salt Lake City) passed away peacefully early in the morning of January 7th, 2019. Joyce was cheerful to the end, always asking what she could do to help. She was ready to get up and go, even in her last days when it might have been easier to stay put. Joyce kept a sign above her door, "Attitude is everything. Choose a good one." And she did. Joyce had endless energy for anything worthwhile, and she dedicated herself to numerous causes, people, and principles. She was kind—and tough when she needed to be. Joyce was always positive, with a quick and lasting smile. She knew what was important. She had a special gift to truly help others, and to make everyone feel good. If offense was offered, she didn't take it. She always said, "Don't sweat the small stuff. It's all small stuff." Joyce loved life, but didn't fear death.
Joyce graduated from the LDS Hospital School of Nursing in 1947, then the University of Utah in 1948 and became a registered nurse. During this time she met Wendell Earl Taylor, whom she married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 25, 1949. Joyce practiced her profession at LDS Hospital, was head nurse of the Newborn Intensive Care Unit and the Neuro-Critical Care Unit at the University of Utah Hospital, and led nursing and health care teams at other departments at Shriners Hospital and State of Utah Department of Handicapped Children's Services. Joyce encouraged the best from others, but never asked anyone to do more than she was willing to do herself. Joyce received her Masters Degree in Human Resource Management at the University of Utah in 1982. Joyce was active in the PTA, Dental Auxiliary, church Primary, MIA, and Relief Society, and numerous other community service organizations. (In 1972 she was president of three of those organizations.) During that busy time Joyce survived breast cancer.
Joyce was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; more importantly, she was committed to Christian service and "pure religion," visiting the lonely and caring for her "little old ladies" and many others until her late 80s, when she voluntarily gave up her driver's license. Joyce made the world better wherever she went: caring for her own large family, helping her neighbors, advocating for youth, providing health care to handicapped children, making sure seniors were not neglected, championing dental hygiene, and giving her time and attention to children in Mexico in her travels.
Joyce came from a humble but extraordinary family. She is preceded in death by her husband Wendell Taylor; parents Ivan and Hildur Johnson; siblings Genevieve, Laverne, Clifton, Glendon, and Marvin; and daughter Wendy Taylor (Kent) Christensen. She is survived by her brother Franklin Johnson and half-sister Vickie Roe of Buena Vista, Colorado; and by her children Jim (Mary Jane) Taylor, Tom (Alison) Taylor, Pete (Rachel) Taylor, John (Connie) Taylor, Jane (John) Merrill, and Kent (Shelly) Christensen, all of Salt Lake City; and by 20 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
The family appreciates the great care Joyce received at the Sarah Daft Home and Beehive Homes assisted living center in Salt Lake City.
A short funeral service will be held at the Monument Park/Princeton Ward (20th East Michigan Avenue-1005 South) in Salt Lake City on Monday, January 14 at 11:00 am, followed by banana splits per Joyce's wishes. A viewing and gathering with family and friends will be held Sunday, January 13 from 6 pm to 8 pm at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South in Salt Lake City, and Monday at 9:30 am to 10:40 am at the Monument Park Ward prior to the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Matheson Nature Preserve would be appreciated. (P.O. Box 58326, Salt Lake City, UT 84158)
