Joyce A Rawson Obituary (2021)

WATCH LIVE FUNERAL STREAM HERE (11:00 AM MST) A very special daughter, Helen Joyce, delighted her parents, Harold and Verda Ashman, when she came into this life on June 12, 1930 in Murray, Utah. 91 years later, on November 27, 2021, she passed away peacefully in her sleep, and has now returned to her heavenly home and her wonderful parents. They named her after her Aunt Helen, but she always went by her middle name, Joyce. As the oldest child, Joyce would later be blessed with 4 younger siblings, 3 of whom preceded her in death: Marilyn (Richard) Ashby, Harold Lowell (Edie) Ashman, and Sheryl (Dent) Taylor; she is survived by her youngest brother, Alan Kent (Mary) Ashman. Joyce's parents were both teachers and her father was the principal of 2 of the schools she attended. Joyce graduated from BYU with a degree in education also, but her greatest "learning experience" came from writing letters to a certain missionary for 2 years that she had never met before he came home from his mission. His name was Richard Rawson (but his friends always called him Dick). They got to know each other through their letters,and met for the first time when Dick returned from his mission in 1951. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on February 13, 1952, only 3 months before Joyce graduated from BYU. Together they lived in 6 different states and raised 6 grateful children, all of whom married wonderful spouses and have given Joyce and Dick 33 grandchildren, 73 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Joyce was a devoted wife for over 50 years to Dick, including being his caregiver for several years as he battled Alzheimers. He left this world sooner than she would have wanted, and she courageously lived on without her sweetheart by her side for over 19 years. During their lives together and their time apart, Joyce has been a caring and committed friend to many, a loving daughter and sister, a devoted wife, a dedicated mother, and a fun-loving grandma (affectionately known as "GG" by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who she loved playing games with!) She was a great cook,and loved looking at recipe books. She was a talented musician, and played the piano and organ for many years in her ward and also at the Mt. Timpanogos Temple in American Fork. She spent several years playing the piano at a daycare center for those with dementia; she would play all the songs they knew in their younger days and they loved singing along with her. She was always a great listener, a compassionate observer, an excellent teacher, and a caring friend. Consequently, she has many friends and family who will miss her dearly including her children and their spouses: Dawn (Doug) Sorensen, Ron (Liz) Rawson, Mary (Shane) McEwen, Brian (Linda) Rawson, Carol (Ramon) Navarrete, and David (Christy) Rawson along with their numerous children and grandchildren. They will miss her; but they are happy that she had many to greet her on the other side, especially her husband and companion of over 50 years in this life, and an eternity to come. She was always very grateful for her knowledge and testimony of the Savior and His gospel, and the comforting assurance that families can be together forever. Because of some immediate family members who are seriously immunocompromised, the family is politely requesting that all those in attendance at the funeral wear a mask. There will be masks provided at the church if needed. Thank you for your understanding and compliance. The funeral will also be available for live viewing on zoom and later viewing on YouTube. Please follow the link above for Zoom. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 11:00 am in the Orchard Ward Chapel, 828 South Locust Ave., Pleasant Grove, Utah where family and friends may attend a viewing from 9:30 - 10:45 am prior to the services. Interment will be in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.