JoD'Ann (Taylor) Dance

JoD’Ann Dance, born on October 22, 1942 as the eldest daughter of Floyd Albert and Mary Fern Taylor, was peacefully called home by her Father in Heaven on January 24, 2023.  She had recently celebrated her 80th birthday.  

JoD’Ann was raised in the farmlands and fruit orchards of North Ogden, in a cute little brick house on Elberta Drive.  She developed a love of all things beautiful as a young girl, including wildflowers, butterflies, birds, wild animals of all kinds - and the loveliest of them all was the unicorn.  She graduated from Weber High School, excelling in public speech, debate, theater production and dance.  She went on to complete studies at Weber College and a Master’s Degree from the University of Utah.  She never turned down a chance to sit with the Ute Marching Band and sing a “Utah Man Am I”.  

Stories are fondly shared about young love, and time spent at the old Ogden Skating Rink with a skinny, farm boy from Wilson Lane named Jim.  After a lengthy courtship and a treasure trove of love letters sent back and forth while Jim served an LDS mission in Southern California, JoD’Ann married James Dance in 1964 in the Salt Lake Temple for all time and eternity.  Together they settled in Riverdale, raised a beautiful family, and created a multitude of memories.   

Mrs. Dance was a master teacher and celebrated educator in the Weber County School District.  After a unique start to teaching on the Uinta-Ouray Reservation in eastern Utah, Mrs. Dance taught for over thirty years in the classrooms of Bonneville High School, West Weber Elementary School and Municipal Elementary School.  Her office walls are filled with district, state and national awards recognizing her tremendous impact on thousands of young people.  She literally could not go anywhere without seeing her students, or without a voice calling from across a room… “Hey Mrs. Dance!!”  Even the administrator of her assisted living facility is a former student.  

As a thespian and lover of the stage, JoD’Ann was a lifelong member of the Drama Club of Ogden, including service as President of this historical organization.  Her appearances on stage in acting roles, as a director, as a stage manager, and in other capacities cannot be counted.  In addition to her Drama Club membership, JoD’Ann was instrumental in the production of community and musical theater productions all across the Wasatch Front, countless one act play performances, and hundreds of marvelously choreographed dance recitals with her beautiful daughter.  

In 1984, JoD’Ann embarked on an adventure as a chartered member of the Boy Scouts of America.  What began as a way to support her son on his journey towards the rank of Eagle Scout, quickly blossomed into passionate advocacy for helping young men grow into mature and engaging members of our community.  JoD’Ann would serve in multiple BSA leadership and training capacities throughout her 33 years as a scouter.  Her service to scouting was celebrated when she was presented with BSA’s prestigious Silver Beaver Award in 1996 and with the presentation of her staff member Woodbadge Beads in 1998. “To give back more to scouting, than it has given to me” became a life lesson that transcended her scout uniform, and inspired a life of service.

JoD’Ann had a sweet and powerful testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and lived a life dedicated to growing closer to our Heavenly Father.  She was always touched when a call to serve would come, and eagerly shared her talents to magnify her callings in the church.  Some of her most cherished moments came while sitting in her favorite seat in the Tabernacle, listening to the Sunday morning television broadcasts of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir with her husband. 

Jim and Jody loved to travel and enjoyed their golden years pulling their travel trailer through the scenic and wild places of North America.  You never quite knew where they would call from next, and you never really knew for sure when they would be back home.  From Death Valley, California to Chicken, Alaska, and all points in between.  You knew without any doubt that they were having the time of their lives, holding each other close, and laughing over a hot game of shanghai.  Jim passed away in 2018 and has been eagerly awaiting the day when his chance to hold his sweet wife again would come.

JoD’Ann is survived by her dear son, Paul and his wife Sherry of Richmond, Kentucky, and her beautiful daughter, JuliAne of Salt Lake City.  She is also survived by her younger sister Marge Taylor of Layton, her younger brother Paul Taylor of Layton, her sister-in-law Joann with her husband Donald Borgmeier of Salt Lake City, along with many wonderful nieces and nephews and their families.  She was preceded in death by her parents, by her husband of 54 years, by one brother Gary Taylor, and by one granddaughter.  

Funeral services will be held at Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd., Ogden on Saturday February 4 at 1:00pm. A viewing will be held Friday February 3, from 5-7pm and Saturday from 11:30am-12:45 pm at Myers Mortuary.  Graveside services will be held at the West Weber Cemetery.  

JoD’Ann’s service will be live streamed and may be watched on her obituary page at www.myers-mortuary.com, it will remain on this page indefinitely. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of JoD'Ann (Taylor) Dance, please visit our floral store.