Joyce Pierson

Our loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, Joyce Saunders Pierson, returned to her Heavenly Father on April 25, 2024, following a long courageous battle with breast cancer. She was born on March 31, 1933, in Murray, Utah, to Leonard Arthur Saunders and Mabel Lurene Bricker. She grew up on a farm in Murray and had a happy childhood with family and friends. While attending Murray High School, she was a member of the Booster Club. She graduated in 1951.

She married Stanley Hal Pierson on June 16, 1952, in the Salt Lake Temple, and they enjoyed nearly 72 years together. Joyce was an active member of the LDS Church her entire life and served in many callings. She graduated from the University of Utah in 1970, with a degree in Elementary Education, and taught kindergarten in Granite School District for 30 years. She furthered her education by completing a Master Degree in Early Childhood Education. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa (ADK) sorority and enjoyed her associations with the other members and opportunities to serve with them.

Joyce had an active and fulfilling life. She and Stan spent long hours working in their yard, gardening, and preserving fruit and vegetables. She enjoyed having her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family visit at Christmas and other times throughout the year. She was an avid reader, enjoyed needlepoint, and spent many hours working on jigsaw puzzles with family and friends. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends at the family cabin on the South Fork of the Weber River. Joyce and Stan loved traveling and hiking in southern Utah and along the northern
California coast.

She is survived by her husband Stan, son Lee Pierson, daughters, Lenis (Brent) Allen, and Leslie (Clint) Stauffer, eight grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother Dale (Connie) Saunders and sister Nelda Eldredge. She was preceded in death by her brother Richard.

The family would like to thank the staff at Abbington Senior Living and Symbii Home Health and Hospice for their kindness, expertise, and professional care of our mother. We express our thanks to family and friends who have loved and cared for her during her illness.

Funeral services will be held at the Jenkins - Soffe Mortuary, 4760 So. State Street, Murray, Utah, on Saturday, May 18, at 1:30 pm. A viewing will proceed the funeral from 12:15 to 1:15 pm. Internment will be in the Murray City Cemetery.