Joyce Hansen Memmott

Joyce Hansen Memmott, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully on June 14, 2022, one month shy of her 94th birthday, surrounded by her loving family.

Joyce was born July 13, 1928, in Fountain Green, Sanpete County, Utah to Ida Delena Llewellyn and Edward Merriam Hansen. She was the fourth of six children. She graduated from Moroni High School. After high school, Joyce moved to Salt Lake City and then to Richland, Washington. She loved her time in Washington with her sister Carol and her family. She worked at several places, made many cherished friendships, and often talked of how her testimony was strengthened living in “the mission field.” One highlight of her time there was being crowned the queen of the “Gold and Green Ball.” After a two and a half year wait for his mission to be completed, she married her sweetheart, Maurice LaDon Memmott, in the Manti, Utah Temple on March 29, 1950. Together they raised six children, Gail, Chazel, Jill, Sam, Chris, and Nathan. Maurice and Joyce also cared for a foster son, Lee Nez.

The family all worked together on their dairy farm in Nephi, Utah. Joyce was integral to the farm’s success. She kept everyone fed, clothed, clean, and on time all while caring for aging parents, serving in many church leadership positions and community service organizations like the Variette Club. Joyce wrote many of the programs that the Relief Society performed. When her children were grown, she continued to serve. She worked in the Manti Temple, and served a proselytizing mission in North Carolina with her husband. On their return, they continued as service missionaries running the addiction recovery program. She was a wonderful visiting teacher, and even when far away would keep in contact with those whom she was ministering. For Joyce, service was about loving people, and those whose lives she touched felt that love. Joyce’s greatest talent was “gathering.” She loved playing games and held frequent game nights. On any given day, her home would be host to her in-laws, nieces and nephews, grandkids and their buddies, friends visiting from afar, or local family who would just “stop by” because they knew they were always welcome. One favorite tradition was the Christmas Eve dinner she hosted for her children and grandchildren, complete with Christmas crackers, paper crowns, candles, and a program of carols after eating. Her grandchildren prized sleepovers at Grandma’s house and each received a handmade quilt from her on their graduation. She knew how to make people feel special.

Joyce lovingly cared for Maurice in his failing health, and after he passed away on July 13, 2007, she spent much of her time visiting and helping her family. She was a hard worker and was only content if she could be doing something helpful whether it was mating socks, organizing a closet, rocking a fussy baby, or especially reading to a small child. She was famous for her ability and love of ironing. Joyce loved to read, and blessed many of her family by encouraging that love of reading in them. Her family will greatly miss the time spent playing games, doing puzzles, and watching classic movies with her.

Joyce is survived by her daughters Gail Pilling (Bruce), Chazel Olpin (Lloyd) and Jill Hill, her sons Sam (Margie), Chris (Lynelle) and Nathan (Stefanie), her 21 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Maurice, her sisters (Mariam Nelson, Carol Powell, Lewena Nielson) and her brothers (Reed Hansen and Doyle Hansen).

Her family would like to express their deep appreciation for the Central Valley Medical Center staff, physical therapists, hospice workers, and especially the nurses who cared for her in these last weeks of her life. Her treatment there was wonderful. They are also very grateful to Dr. James Besendorfer whose care for Joyce for many years allowed her to live life to the fullest.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 22nd, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Nephi 1st/2nd/7th Ward Chapel, 200 South 100 East. There will be a viewing from 10:00 to10:45 before the service and from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday night at Anderson Funeral Home, 94 West 300 North, Nephi.