1933~ 2003
A great lady departed from us on Monday July 28, 2003. Cancer finally took its toll after seven years in remission.
Joyce Ellen Kirkman was born August 27, 1933, in Salt Lake City to Harold B. and Addie S. Kirkman. Joyce took to dancing early to correct a medical problem. That talent came to be a central part of her life, as she danced professionally into her 20s.
After graduating from East High School in 1951 she entered the University of Utah where she met her husband-to-be on her first day. She and Merrill Ridd were married June 12, 1954, in the Logan LDS Temple. She completed her bachelors degree a year later and joined Merrill with the Navy in Hawaii.
While raising a family of five, they also lived in Chicago, Denver, and Seattle, most recently completing an LDS Mission in Seattle. Prior to that, they served a leadership mission to Granite Park Ward, where Joyce served as Relief Society president. She served as PTA president of Oakridge Elementary School, then Granite District junior high schools, and various other civic activities. Meanwhile she became a licensed securities dealer, tax consultant, and real estate agent. Joyce was well known for her intellect and organizational skills, and as a gifted teacher. Perhaps more notably was her acceptance of trials without a hint of complaint.
Joyce is survived by her husband of 49 years, five children: Vickie (Jim) Monsen, Kirk (Caroll) Ridd, Merri Joy (Wade) Bailey, Renee (Chris) Gluch, and Robyn (Craig) Maloney, 15 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents and her only sibling June.
Services will be held at 12 noon on Friday August 1, 2003, at the Salt Lake Mt. Olympus North Stake, 4176 South Adonis Drive (3930 East). Friends may call at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 Highland Drive, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, and from 10:30 to 11:45am at the stake center prior to services on Friday.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, 2000 Circle of Hope, 84113, or the Merrill K. Ridd Scholarship Fund, Dept. of Geography, 270 OSH, University of Utah, 84112.