Joan Montgomery Duffin

Joan Duffin returned home to her Heavenly Parents on August 18, 2023.

Joan was born to Melvin & Margaret Montgomery, on April 8, 1944, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She grew up in Holladay, Utah, in a time when it was full of orchards and a scattering of new homes. She attended Olympus Jr High, which brought some of her favorite memories and life-long friends; Olympus High School; and the University of Utah, where she earned her teaching
degree.

While at the “U,” Joan met Daryl Duffin. The two shared a love for dancing and over their years together they often sought out places to dance, taking their kids with them to places like Deer Cliff Inn near Franklin, Idaho.

Joan and Daryl were married in the Salt Lake Temple, and lived in Salt Lake City for their first few years together. Joan taught school at Washington Elementary, and loved the children in her classroom. It was an underprivileged area, and she offered her students extra support and care.

Daryl’s work took them to Rochester, Minnesota, and Joan continued teaching there. She recalled the harsh, cold winters and bundling the kids up for recess and the walk home. While in Minnesota, they welcomed their first child, and Joan stayed home to care for her. She somehow managed Dori’s uber picky childhood food preferences.

After a few years, work next took them to Pendleton, Oregon. Joan was highly disappointed by the barren landscape of Eastern Oregon, but she welcomed the opportunity to be close to the ocean. Many summer family trips were spent on the Oregon and Washington coast. While in Oregon, Joan welcomed two more children.

A desire to be closer to family brought Joan and Daryl back to Utah, where they bought a home on the South Bench of Providence near Edgewood Hall. They lived there for 47 years and often heard the unique calls of the peacocks. In the Providence 5th Ward, Joan often served in the Primary. She was a dedicated teacher and sought to prepare engaging lessons and fun activities. She sought to serve her neighbors and was always planning ahead for the Christmas neighbor gifts. Her annual Christmas boutique, a part of her 25+ year Avon business, was a neighborhood celebration with the opportunity for every guest to “spin the wheel” to see which prize they would receive. Joan loved Christmas and wrapping up beautiful gifts. In preparation for the annual family White Elephant party, Joan would spend months finding the right “treasures” to include. There were some memorable finds and lots of laughter.

Joan and Daryl loved to travel. They visited 49 of 50 states (sorry North Dakota), and several countries. They had adventures in Egypt and Europe, and she especially loved the beauty of the fjords of Norway, sights and tastes of Paris, and charm of Scotland. She and Daryl spent 18 years living half time in Branson, Missouri, enjoying the live music and entertainment focused on God, family, and country. They enjoyed the hospitality of the people there, and made many new friends and treasured memories.

Joan grew up in a part-member family and remained active in her faith as a teen because of the love and interest of friends and leaders. She taught by example and had a desire to help others. She and Daryl spent five years as Addiction Recovery Program missionaries, learning from and loving people in Cache Valley, and then working to share the benefits of the program in Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.

Joan loved animals and flowers. Her furry companions over the years were a great blessing. She frequently took her children to the zoo and aviary, and she was always on the lookout for fun animal adventures, like visiting the tiger refuge at Turpentine Creek, Arkansas, or burros she would find on the side of a country road.

Joan valiantly managed kidney disease, and in the spring 2020, during the crazy days of the Covid pandemic, she began dialysis. It was a painful, difficult, and isolating experience. She greatly appreciated the compassion and care she received from so many at the Intermountain Dialysis Center, and the close friends that would visit her during her treatments. Many thanks to each act of kindness. During her time in hospice care, she was especially touched by the angelic voices of the Threshold Singers. She expressed that she will miss her family, friends, and furry relatives.

Joan is survived by her husband, Daryl, and their children Dori (Eric) Petersen; Julie (Andrew) Wright; Mitch (Taralee) Duffin, grandchildren, and her Teddy Bear Shorkie. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Brent. God Be with You until We Meet Again.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at White Pine Funeral Services, 753 S 100 E, Logan, UT.  A visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:30 AM.  The interment will be at the Providence City Cemetery.

Joan's service can be viewed via Zoom at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85393137836

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Cache Humane Society, Wasatch Wanderers, or your local animal shelter in Joan's honor.