Joyce (Mower) Kelly
Marriages
Sam Kelly - September 10, 1947
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 5D Death Notice - October 21, 2018
Joyce M. Kelly, 92, Grand Junction, died Oct. 17, 2018, at The Commons. Services will be at 11 a.m. Nov. 2 at the Grand Junction West Stake. Burial will be at Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado. She was a homemaker. She is survived by two sons, Stephen of Grand Junction and Thomas of Salem, Oregon; three daughters, Camille Swenson of Grand Junction, Vicki Hodgman of Los Gatos, California, and Kathryn Jensen of Tualatin, Oregon; one brother, Robert J. Mower of St. George, Utah; 19 grandchildren; and 55 great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions to HopeWest, 3090B N. 12th St., Grand Junction 81506.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3D Obituary - October 28, 2018
Joyce was born in Provo, Utah, to Edgar "Ted" Mower and Luella Oldroyd Mower. She was raised along with her sister, June, and brother, Bob, in Provo, graduating from Brigham Young High School in 1944. She was heavily involved in music and dance during her childhood and teenage years. Vocal music remained a passion throughout her life. While attending BYU for college, she began seriously dating Sam Kelly following his release from the 42nd Rainbow Division of the Army at the end of WWII. The long-time sweethearts were married on September 10, 1947, in the Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After Sam’sgraduation, they moved to Washington, D.C. so Sam could attend Dental School at Georgetown University. While there Joyce worked as a secretary at the Senate Office Building. In 1954, following Dental School, they moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, and established a loving home and dental practice. Joyce quickly became involved with the music community. In addition to numerous vocal solo performances at various venues around Grand Junction, she played the part of Hansel in the Humperdinck opera, "Hansel and Gretel", and also the lead role of Celia in the Crawford Gates musical, "Promised Valley". She had a beautifully well-trained soprano voice. Often she was accompanied by her husband, Sam, on the piano, and music naturally became a big part of their family life. She was active in Grand Junction Music Club and served on the board of the Grand Junction Symphony. Joyce and Sam had five children, Steve (Connie), Kathy (Don) Jensen, Tom (Tracy), Vicki (John) Hodgman, and Camille (Brad) Swenson. They taught them how to work hard, a love of music sports, education, and the country, but most of all a love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Joyce had an extremely busy Gospel-centered home. She served in the Church many years as a Young Women Leader, teacher, ward chorister, and choir leader. She and Sam served two full-time missions for the Church after retirement. She loved her children, 19 grandchildren, and 55 greatgrandchildren, and could often be found supporting them at their various events. She and Sam flourished together for 69 years, and after his passing in 2016 she sorely missed him. We are blessed to believe she is back with him. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Services will be 11:30 a.m. Friday, November 2, 2018, at the Grand Junction West Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A family graveside service preceded this service at Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery. Donations may be made to HopeWest Hospice, 3090B North 12th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81506.
