Joyce (Nelson) Worthen

JOYCE NELSON WORTHEN
Our sweet wife, mom, nana, grandma, sister and friend, passed away on Thursday, 18 March 2021. Although we knew this day was coming, we were not prepared to say our goodbyes. A hole has been left in our hearts, until we meet again.
Joyce was born on 13 June 1935 to Kay and Susie Nelson. Joyce loved life and the people in it. Her fun personality lite up a room and her joy, pure joy to behold. She will be sorely missed by all who know and love her.
She is survived by her husband, Blaine; and their children Bradd Clifford, Roy, Utah; Jeff (Beata) Clifford, Huntsville, Utah; Kurtis (Cheryl) Clifford, Redmond, Washington; Chelese (Ron) Hunt, Layton, Utah; and Steve (Diane) Worthen, Syracuse, Utah and her sister LaJean Jensen, Ogden, Utah. She is also blessed with 24 beloved grandchildren, and 33 great grandchildren.
Joyce attended Davis County Schools and lived most of her life in Clinton. She worked at Hill AFB where she met her husband of 56 years. They were sealed for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. Joyce was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where she served in many callings to include President of the Young Women. During that time, she and her long time friend and counselor, Judy, took their entire Young Women group to Hawaii with their husbands, Blaine and Rawland, to chaperon...not the girls, but to chaperon Joyce and Judy.
Together Blaine and Joyce enjoyed many outings and fun vacations with their children, especially at their beautiful cabin in Star Valley, Wyoming. They loved the outdoors, water sports, winter skiing and snowmobiling, 4-wheeling, traveling the country to watch kids and grandkids participate in dance, and sports. Family is everything to them. They shared their cabin with their friends on several retreats for the weekend where laughter and love were abundant. Blaine and Joyce owned a tanning bed facility and worked together in the Real Estate business.
Joyce was always the life of any party. She went above and beyond to make everything she did a joy-filled event. Her family and friends were the grateful recipients of her happiness. She was charming and mischievous, quick witted, sarcastic and we just loved her and loved to be with her. She gave unconditional love, especially to her grandkids and great grandkids. They were her greatest joy. With each marriage and each new baby, her happiness and grateful joy were apparent in her laughter and sparkling eyes, not to mention how she made each one feel "they were her favorite."
Mom loved a cold Dr. Pepper, spending time with her friends going for rides, lunch and laughter, and they loved her companionship.
We have had a million tender moments and memories over the years and will treasure those in the hard times to come when we miss her laughter, her smile, her hug and her sassiness. We will be able to hear her in the clouds on the dark days and feel her embrace and love until we can see the rainbow.
We are grateful for the care and compassion provided by Tender Care Hospice and her live-in care takers for the past year and half, Emily and Jacob Wakefield and Emile and Corbin Asay, especially during this year long covid isolation.
The greatest gift you could give to Joyce was time spent together. In her memory, share your time with those you love. Leave no empty chairs. Take the time, spend the time, give the time. Time is all we have in this mortal life to serve and love others and leave our footprint, "Because I Have Been Given Much."
She was preceded in death by her parents, Kay and Suzie Nelson; grandson, Blake Clifford, and brother, Dean Nelson. There is no doubt there is a very happy and joyful reunion with those she has loved and is now reunited for the eternities. "Families Are Forever."
A public viewing for family and friends will be held at Myers Mortuary, 5865 S.1900 W. Roy, Utah, on Tuesday, 23 March from 6-8 pm. Masks and social distancing requested. Private family graveside services.