Joan Bailey Lindsay

She was our North, our South, our East and West
Our noon, our midnights, our talks, our songs
Our working week and sweet Sabbath guide
With Christ's gift of eternal life, our love will last forever
But oh, how we grieve, for she has passed.
Adaptation from W.H. Auden

Joan Lydia Bailey Lindsay, who never lost her spiritual wonder, passed peacefully at home from this mortal sphere on Friday, August 28, 2026, bearing her deepest unshakable testimony that “in Christ shall all be made alive.”

According to her parents, William Bailey and Rhea Leona Ferre, Joan was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on a Sunday morning “cut from a special pattern…not another baby like her.” She was sister to two older brothers, William (Bill) (decd.) and Ferrell (decd.). She was raised in the nest of nearby extended family members who taught and led the way. Throughout her life, she yearned to be good and was persuaded to do good continually, even noble like all the prophets in the Book of Mormon which she deeply loved. She prompted, promoted, persuaded, prodded, pleaded, and prayed for each of us to become our better selves.

She was nurtured and tutored at the knees of her mother, an outstanding educator, who enriched Joan’s love of learning, music, fine literature, and importance of family. In May of 1956, Joan graduated from Olympus High School where she was a class officer, skilled in debate and speech, performed on stage in theatre leading roles, accompanist for orchestra and chorus, and seminary graduate. Thus began her lifelong pursuit of education from San Francisco State University, University of Utah, and then Brigham Young University, receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre and Directing. She has written and published 5 books, starred, written and directed theatre productions, directed choirs, taught private music lessons, and been an organ and piano accompanist for over 75 years.

Joan found her humble disciple of Christ, Dean Ray Lindsay (decd.), and sealed their eternal union in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on March 22, 1957, and thus began their earthly adventure of family, missions, travel and dedication to lifting and serving others. She held many church leadership positions, taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ to her sisters, leadership training meetings, faithful Visiting Teacher minister, ordained temple worker, and dedicated temple patron. Days before her death, she gave 5 more names to be done to a sweet sister in her ward, who quickly fulfilled Joan’s desire for their temple work to be completed. Together, Elder and Sister Lindsay served three mission, New York, New York (1991-1992), Voronezh, Russia (1999-2001), and Canberra, Australia (2005-2007). Throughout and until her last week on earth, members from each mission continue to call, mail, message and converse sharing testimony and deep gratitude.

Being a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother was her joy and often her pain. Holding extended family reunions, monthly family home evenings, holiday celebrations, baptisms, trips and travel, ordinations, cheering at sporting events, school plays and accomplishments, community service opportunities, and early morning birthday phone calls, brought her the greatest joy and connection. Twenty-four hours before her last breath on earth, each living family member either stood by her bed, left voice messages, video calls, or played their tiny violins by her bedside, to the joy of her clapping and shedding tears of joy, love and gratitude.

Joan and Dean are the parents of Andrea Lydia Lindsay Shaffer, Christian Dean Lindsay (decd.) (Daralee), Charisse Joan Lindsay Roberts, and Garrett Ray Lindsay (decd.). They are the grandparents of 15 grandchildren, Lindsay Shaffer Norris (Josh), Sydney Shaffer Scott (Jeff), Courtney Shaffer, Cortland Lindsay, McKenna Lindsay Lopez (Jerry), Curtis Cameron (Ashley), Skylar Wing (decd.), Ashley Roberts Roddom, Abbigail Roberts Eckles (Ty), Logan Roberts, Alissa Lindsay Rose Jordan Lindsay, Matthew Lindsay (decd.), Preston Lindsay, and Kyle Lindsay. They are also great grandparents of Bailey Potter, Colter Cameron, Indie Cameron, Cash Cameron, Maslow Norris, Phoenix Scott, Sloane Scott, Russell Scott, Braelynn Harlan, Michael Harlan, Dean Harlan, and Auguste Eckles.

It is with deepest gratitude the family would like to thank the medical care given to their mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, especially Dr. Von Welch. He was not only her outstanding physician, but he became a treasured friend, sharing time and stories, and birding adventures, and bedside medical visits. Thank you, Dr. Welch for all your constant and loving care and kindness. As a family we also want to thank the tender hospice care from Health Wach, especially from Jessica Hansen, RN, who tenderly cared for Joan’s needs and supported family throughout this loss.

Services are under the care and direction of Olpin Family Mortuary in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Condolences may be sent to the family at olpinmortuary.com.

An evening viewing will be held Friday, September 11, 2026 from 6:00–8:00 PM at Olpin Family Mortuary, 494 South 300 East, Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the Manila 9th Ward chapel, 3396 North 900 West, Pleasant Grove, Utah. Family and friends may attend a morning viewing at the church from 9:30–10:45 AM prior to the funeral.

Interment will take place at Orem City Cemetery.

The funeral service will be live-streamed at www.olpinmortuary.com/obituaries/joan-lindsay.