Joanne Harriet Lyons Obituary (1936 - 2017)

JoAnne (Taylor) Lyons, 81, of Honeyville, UT passed away peacefully of natural causes on November 30, 2017 in Perry, UT. Born Sept 4, 1936 in Los Angeles, CA to Harry and Margaret Taylor, JoAnne grew up in southern California and graduated from Beaumont High School. In Beaumont she met and married James "Jim" (Gunderson) Lyons on April 19,1958. After starting a family in Cherry Valley, CA, they moved their family to Brigham City, UT and a few years later to a farm in Honeyville, UT where they raised their five boys. JoAnne loved the farm and being outside in her large flower and vegetable gardens and with her animals, particularly her dogs, goats, and miniature horses. Her porch served as a home to many litters of kittens and bum lambs over the years and we referred to her often as Dr. Doolittle. She spent countless hours serving her family as a baseball scorekeeper, avid fan and supporter of her boys and husband, and often as the team trainer. Her purse/"trainer's bag" contained more mouth guards, shoelaces, and adhesive tape than it did lipstick and makeup. "Her boys" stretched far beyond her biological sons and she was a mother/grandmother figure to hundreds of boys and girls over the years. She worked for many years in the school lunchroom at Honeyville Elementary. It was a perfect job for her as it allowed her to serve young people but always be home for her own boys. It was extremely rare to come home and not have mom waiting for us to welcome us home and listen to our triumphs or trials. She always had time for her boys. Another of her passions was reading. Her home was filled with books and nerf hoops. In a family of all boys she sacrificed some feminine touches she might have wanted for herself but she never complained and kept her family well cared for and loved. No one ever questioned her commitment to her family. In later years she joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where she continued serving children and youth in Primary and other teaching positions. She was an incredible example of giving up her life for her fellowman, particularly her family. She is survived by her brothers: William "Bill" (Donna) Taylor, Georgetown, TX; Cecil (Betty) Taylor, Tualatin, OR; Dennis (Diane) Taylor, Gladstone, OR; sons: Mark (Mary Ann) Colorado Springs, CO, Matthew "Matt" (Kim), St George, UT; Eric Anaconda, MT; Kort (Paulette) Bear River City, UT; and Trek, Boise, ID; 19 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a grandson, and a great grandson. While we'll dearly miss her here we're confident there was a grand reunion of that group as she passed to the other side of this mortal life. She was a light in anyone's life she touched. We express thanks for all who have served our family over the years with particular thanks to the staff at Beehive Homes in Perry, Byron and Fern Hunsaker and family, Richie Aoki, Tanakas and other dear friends and neighbors, daughters in law, grandchildren, and other family members and especially Kort and Paulette and family for their tireless service. A viewing will be held on Friday, December 8, 2017 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at Myers Mortuary, 200 S. 100 E, Brigham City. Also on Sat. Dec 9 from 9:00 to 9:40 am at the Honeyville LDS Church, 2620 W 6980 N, Honeyville, UT with funeral services set for 10:00 am that morning at the Church. Interment will be in the Honeyville Cemetery. VisitationMyers Mortuary of Brigham City 205 South 100 East Brigham City, UT 84302 December 8, 2017 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM ServiceHoneyville Chapel 2620 West 6980 North Honeyville, Utah 84314 December 9, 2017 10:00 AM