Joan Pierce Phillips' Obituary
Joan Pierce Phillips (89) passed away June 6, 2024 in Lehi, Utah after bravely fighting cancer. Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Paul in 2020.
Joan Pierce was born August 15,1934, the first born of six children to Jack and Phyllis Chapman Pierce in Provo, Utah. Joan is survived by four of her siblings: Dale (Gwen) Pierce, Sharon (Wolfgang) Zander, Marian (Dave) Foltz, and Claire (Karen Pierce). Her little brother, Richard died from a drowning incident on the farm when he was only two year old.
Joan labored hard on the family farm in Provo while enjoying the simple life of her childhood. Joan graduated from Lincoln High School (Orem, Utah) in 1952. Toward the end of her Senior year, she married Paul Richard Phillips on April 23, 1952 in the Salt Lake Temple. They had 5 children: Judy, Richard, Lisa Demke (Jonathan); Chris (Amber) and Jason (Amy). She is the grandmother of 22 and the great-grandmother of 30. Over the years, Paul and Joan raised their family in Orem, UT, West Covina, CA and Mesa AZ. They finally retired to St. George, UT in 1997 where the built their dream home and lived out the remainder of their years.
Joan was an avid reader. She loved to cook and enjoyed hosting family parties and ward activities. She was well known as a very industrious and frugal homemaker. Joan worked periodically during her adult years as a waitress where she was voted as best waitress in a large chain of steak restaurants in California for her hard work and customer service. They then moved to Mesa, AZ and later bought from Paul's cousin a Magic Mill/Bosch store in Phoenix and then later opened a store in Mesa close to their home. They both tended the store and Joan taught cooking classes using the grains and natural foods they sold while demonstrating the use of their Bosch mixers and Magic Mill grinders. After closing the store, she also worked in a craft and painting store where she took up painting as a hobby and gifted beautiful paintings to her children. Her greatest enjoyment came when their family went camping with extended family in the mountains and visiting American and Church historical sights. Joan always maintained an adventurous mindset during her adult years and loved to travel when opportunities presented themselves.
Joan was faithful in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout her life, serving in various responsibilities and assignments over the years. She has been fiercely loyal to her husband and children. Furthermore, she always held a special feeling for her daughters and daughters-in-law, and always treated every member of the family as "family". She was self-confident and always provided sage advice and counsel. Her life has certainly been a blessing to her family, community, and church.
A viewing for Joan Phillips is scheduled for Friday, June 28, 2024, at 10:00 AM at the Pheasant Pointe 4th Ward Chapel located at 1530 W. Pheasant Pointe Dr. in Lehi, Utah. Funeral services shall convene immediately afterwards, starting at 11:00 AM. Interment at Provo City Cemetery will follow those services. Mortuary services are coordinated by Premier Funeral Services (Orem, UT).
For those unable to attend, a Zoom link has been provided:
https://byu.zoom.us/j/7506162160
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