Joan Laverne Mecham

August 15, 1944 - September 28, 2021

It is with broken hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved sister, aunt, teacher, and friend, Joan Laverne Mecham, age 77, due to chronic health issues. Joan was born August 15, 1944 in Dalhart, Texas, five minutes before her twin sister. She was the second of eight children to her parents, Robert Bernard and Ruth Whitener Mecham. She grew up in the Edgemont area of Provo, Utah, where she enjoyed a wonderful home life with goodly parents, two brothers and five sisters in a big red brick home with a large yard and garden. She learned early the value of hard work and the importance of a good education. Even after being involved in a bicycle accident, resulting in cuts and scrapes and a fat lip, she was expected to attend school the next day! Her growing-up years were filled with many fond memories of snowy winters and sleigh rides, fun-filled summers playing catcher on the Edgemont 2nd Ward girls’ softball team; family vacations and road trips to visit grandparents and cousins; sleeping out under the stars and eating chocolate. She attended schools in Provo and Orem, graduating from Orem High School in 1962. From there she attended BYU, graduating in 1967 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, and later on receiving her Master’s degree at the University of Utah. During her teaching career of 37 years, Joan became a beloved teacher to hundreds of second and third grade students in Monterey, California; Pocatello and Blackfoot, Idaho; and the majority of her career in Riverton, Utah. Learning to play the piano early in life brought her much enjoyment, and provided opportunities to serve in many settings. She was often called upon to play for family sing-a-longs, or join with a sister in playing duets, or accompany soloists, groups, or choirs—at home, school, and church. She enjoyed her church callings as organist and pianist. For several years she taught piano lessons to neighbors, and several nieces and nephews. They loved their “Aunt Joanie.” Joan loved to travel, and enjoyed frequent opportunities with friends or family to visit many places around the world, including Europe, Hawaii, South America, Scotland, China (her favorite), and all over the United States. An avid reader, she loved studying history and different cultures, health books, biographies of celebrities, church publications, etc., of which she built a large library over the years. Joan was a stalwart member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints her entire life, serving faithfully in various music and teaching callings. After retiring from teaching, she served as a missionary at the Orem Digital Processing Center. She enjoyed attending the temple, when her health would allow, and always made sure she was worthy to carry a current temple recommend. She honored her temple covenants, and had a strong testimony of our Savior, the Plan of Salvation, and the promised blessings for those who are faithful. She was very generous in helping others with her time and resources, including donating to charities, and to her church. We express our appreciation to the wonderful staff at Courtyard at Jamestown for their tender loving care to Joan for more than two and one-half years. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, and her older brother, Bob Mecham. She is survived by Connie Mecham (Bob, deceased) North Logan, Utah; Mary (Verl) Gustaveson, Orem, Utah; David (Tisha) Mecham, Sandy, Utah; Margaret (Darrell) Richardson, Alvin, Texas; Beth (Eric) Fast, Sierra Vista, Arizona; Lois (Bryll) Schultz, Idaho Falls, Idaho; Gayle (Rob) Gardner, Provo, Utah; plus numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, October 5th, at 11:00 am, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1051 East 200 North, Orem, Utah, where a Viewing will be held prior to services from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Interment in East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery. Click here to view services on Tuesday https://my.gather.app/remember/joan-mecham Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary.