Obituary: Joyce Janeene Bevan Elkington

Joyce Janeene Bevan Elkington 6/28/1954~10/6/2006 Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend returned home to her Father in Heaven early in the morning of October 6. She was surrounded by loving family at the time of her passing. Never was there a more compassionate, sweet and beautiful person than Joyce. She approached each day with strength and determination. She was born to Leo Ernest and Lucille Elizabeth Kirk Bevan in Tooele, Utah, on a day of "rejoyceing". She was the seventh of eight children and she cherished her family. As a young girl, she was always curious, fun-loving and full of life. She graduated Tooele High School, where she was a varsity cheerleader. At fourteen, she met her sweetheart, Robert Elwin Elkington, and knew he was the man she would share her life with. They were married on August 18, 1972 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. In the early years, they resided in Logan, Utah where Bob attended USU. They later moved to Sandy, Utah where they made their home and were blessed with five daughters, the joys of her life. She was Supermom, cheering for and empowering her children to be their best. Joyce was a wonderful, warm-hearted and loving wife and mother. She devoted her life to the happiness of her family. Although she endured great suffering, she consistently focused her energies on her family and nurtured them. She had many talents, including dancing, sewing, crocheting, cooking and storytelling. Above all, she had the ability to listen and genuinely love and accept everyone she knew. Joyce had a firm knowledge and testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and went forward each day in faith. She found great comfort in the atonement of a loving Savior and the eternal plan of salvation. Among her greatest joys were to laugh, to love and be loved, to be surrounded by her adoring family, and to dance with all the passion of her soul. Joyce will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know her. She added hope, love and sunshine to the lives of others. Many people helped care for Joyce, particularly Audrey, a devoted daughter who made her mother the center of her life. The family extends heart-felt gratitude to them. Joyce will live on, embodied in the characteristics of her daughters and grandchildren. Momma, thank you for giving us the world. Joycey, I've always loved you. You taught all of us to fly and made us believe we really could. With all our love forever, your family. Joyce is survived by Robert Elkington, her devoted and loving husband; Children: Heather (Paul) Shepherd; Shannon (Jeffrey) Ballard; Audrey (Zachary) Weideman; Beth (Jonah) Stroud; Annie (Daniel) Hyde; Grandchildren: Dallin, Andrew, Celia and Lilian Shepherd; Samuel, Gavin and Dawson Ballard; Samara Stroud and Melia Hyde. Siblings: Paul (Jeanne) Bevan; Kenneth Bevan; Linda Broadhead; Larry (Deanne) Bevan; Colleen (Mark) Bezzant; Brent (Lynne) Bevan; Larry (Karen) Elkington; Steven (Tonya) Elkington; Patti (Dwight) Potter; Linda (Jeffrey) England. She was preceded in death by her mother and father; parents-in-law Elwin and Margie Elkington; and sister Carolyn Wright. Funeral services will be held Monday, October 9, 2006 at 12 noon at the Sandy Utah Granite South Stake Center, 1950 East 10600 South. A viewing will be held on Sunday, October 8 from 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 10600 South 1700 East and again at the Stake Center from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. prior to the funeral. Interment, Larkin Sunset Gardens. Online condolences at www.larkinmortuary.com