Jeannie Poch's Obituary
Let all that you do be done in love. Ollie Jean Chiapella Poch did everything with love. Our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother passed away on February 19, 2021. Jeannie was born January 12, 1943 to Walter Eugene Chiapella and Emma Louise Strother Chiapella in Lakeland, Florida at the military base. She grew up with her sister Anita Louise Chiapella Skidmore in Garden Grove, California. She joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints her senior year in High School. Jeannie married Spencer Eugene Poch on August 5, 1967. They had three beautiful daughters and a cherished son together. Nothing was more important to Jeannie than her family. She adored every moment spent with her kids, her grandchildren, and her first great-grandchild with one more great- grandchild on the way. It was her life-long dream to see all her children sealed in the LDS Temple, and she realized that dream just one week before she passed from this life into eternity.
Professionally, Jeannie was a gifted and beloved teacher and librarian. She received her Masters Degree in Library Science from Brigham Young University. She transformed a rundown library at Granite Junior High into an advanced technical facility for the students there. She taught English as a second language to a diverse and underprivileged student body. She truly loved her students and they loved her.
Jeannie had a beautiful singing voice, she sang (often with her husband Spencer) with the Utah Opera for three seasons. As a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Jeannie sang at the presidential inauguration of Lyndon B. Johnson. She was proud to help her son earn his Eagle Scout award which also gave Jeannie’s mother Emma great pride. Spence and Jeannie were able to serve several Family History missions. These were served at the downtown Family History facility as well as the Utah State Prison helping inmates with census indexing. She lived a life full of service, constantly looking for opportunities to help and serve others.
Jeannie is survived by her husband Spencer, her children Jenalynn (Kauri) Thompson, Kerilynn (Byron) Lawrence, Alan Spencer (Kerryann) Poch, Cherylynn (Jeramiah) Botkin . As well as her 14 grandchildren, Madison Olulani Chai, Jordan Kanai Aupuni Chai, Tia Dawn Thompson, (Anthony) Bellissimo, Tiki McKay Anianikalani Thompson, Allison Lawrence, Olivia
Lawrence, Jackson Paul Lawrence, Kiya Rachelle Rowley, Layla Anne Rowley, Brielle Rowley, Blaze Michael Rowley, Branson Adam Botkin, Breklynn Jean Botkin, Bridger Taggart Botkin, her first great-grandchild, Taika Leale Santino Bellissimo as well as one more great grandchild due this August. She is preceded in death by her beloved grandson, True McKay Thompson.
A celebration of Jeannie’s life will be held Monday, March 1, 2021 at 11am
Location:
12352 S BigBend Creek Drive
HERRIMAN, Utah 84096
United States
Miller Crossing 2nd Ward
Across the street from “Bastian elementary”
There will be a viewing in the Priesthood room prior to the funeral services from 9:30am to 10:30am.
A memorial fund has been created for Jeannie. All donations can go to...
Spencer Poch directly or Venmo @gojengo
https://venmo.com/code?user_id=1710157100744704741
Celebration Service will be on a live stream as well. Please join us at https://zoom.us/j/94872108033
What’s your fondest memory of Jeannie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jeannie?
Share a story where Jeannie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jeannie you’ll never forget.
How did Jeannie make you smile?