JoAnne Richards Bown passed away on January 18, 1997, of ovarian cancer.
She was born December 6, 1946, to Joseph W. and Virginia Evans Richards. She attended East High where her father was principal and the University of Utah where she graduated with a BS degree in Food Science. She married Gregory L. Bown on December 17, 1968. The marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. She was active in the LDS faith, fulfilling her patriarchal blessing that she would teach and serve the youth by serving in the Relief Society and Sunday School as an inspired teacher, in the Primary, as Stake Primary President, in the Young Women's organization, and even though she was not a camper, organized the best Young Women's Camp ever.
She was active all her life participating in dance, swimming, tennis, and her children's sports and activities. She took her calling as a mother seriously and devoted much time and sacrificed much so that her children knew of her unconditional love and support. She is the mother of three wonderful children who are now competent, loving adults.
She is survived by her husband, Gregory L. Bown; children, Christopher, Michael and Marni; a sister, Penny Richards; and many cousins with whom she met at family reunions each year.
She was a noble lady whose faith and strength touched and strengthened many others. She was grateful to be able to greet many of her friends and relations at an open house on her 50th birthday.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 1997, at 12 noon in the Alta View Stake Center, 1850 East 8600 South, Sandy, Utah. A viewing will be held Tuesday, 6-8 p.m. at Goff Mortuary, 8090 So. State, Midvale, and Wednesday, 10:45-11:45 a.m. at the stake center. Interment, Larkin Sunset Gardens.
Joann and I were in Dance Club together, and she was such a great friend. I remember heading out in her fun little sports car to different activities. She was always so full of life and enthusiasm - always a smile on her face!
I don't remember hearing this at the last reunion. She was always a good natured, fun person. We were in jr and sr high at the same time. She was always smiling!! I'm especually sad for Greg and children. Missing a GREAT MOM and WIFE, is something we hope will NEVER HAPPEN!!
I remember JoaAnne with sweet memories. She was always so friendly and I remember her dad being the principal! How lucky we all are to have known so many great people at East High!!
JoAnne came to my home for lunch one day when Jill Wonnacott Dunford was in town. I had heard that she had been sick but her upbeat personality, her smiling face and jovial attitude belied in my mind any thought that what she had was serious. She was the life of the party! I met JoAnne in Pep Club at East (wasn't she one of our marching chairmen?) and thought she was adorable ever after. East High provided me the opportunity to know JoAnne and I'm so grateful. What a great example she is!
I knew JoAnne at Douglas Elementary school. I was the only guy that could catch her. Secretly, I was in love with her till my family moved away when we were 11 year olds. I guess Greg was a faster runner - she was a great catch for him. What a shock to read she had passed away.
JoAnne was a best friend from Kindergarten through East High. Living around the corner from one another, we walked to school together all those years. We played together in the days when you didn’t have to go home until the street lights came on. We took swimming lessons together at the Deseret Gym, played tennis on the East High courts, roller skated until our knees were bleeding and played soccer in the streets. We walked to church and kept each other active when our parents weren’t exactly the best examples of attendance. In Junior High we walked up and down that hill every day, never even thinking about asking a parent to drive us. But those were the days when it was our own responsibility to get where we needed to be. At East we even served together as “marching chairmen” for the Pep Club, double dated and did our homework together. Through those years we laughed together and cried together. We shared one another’s burdens and deepest secrets. We lost touch, somewhat, after college because she had married Greg and I was still single. We enjoyed putting together the first Pep Club Reunion and reliving good times. I drove to Salt Lake for her last Birthday party. She was so thin and weary.
I loved her very much as only girl friends can. I admire her for the fine woman she became. I still think about her often and look forward to seeing her again.
Greg Bown
Here is JoAnne's Obituary
She was a noble lady.
DEATH: JOANNE RICHARDS BOWN
Published: Monday, Jan. 20 1997 12:00 a.m. MST
JoAnne Richards Bown passed away on January 18, 1997, of ovarian cancer.
She was born December 6, 1946, to Joseph W. and Virginia Evans Richards. She attended East High where her father was principal and the University of Utah where she graduated with a BS degree in Food Science. She married Gregory L. Bown on December 17, 1968. The marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. She was active in the LDS faith, fulfilling her patriarchal blessing that she would teach and serve the youth by serving in the Relief Society and Sunday School as an inspired teacher, in the Primary, as Stake Primary President, in the Young Women's organization, and even though she was not a camper, organized the best Young Women's Camp ever.
She was active all her life participating in dance, swimming, tennis, and her children's sports and activities. She took her calling as a mother seriously and devoted much time and sacrificed much so that her children knew of her unconditional love and support. She is the mother of three wonderful children who are now competent, loving adults.
She is survived by her husband, Gregory L. Bown; children, Christopher, Michael and Marni; a sister, Penny Richards; and many cousins with whom she met at family reunions each year.
She was a noble lady whose faith and strength touched and strengthened many others. She was grateful to be able to greet many of her friends and relations at an open house on her 50th birthday.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 1997, at 12 noon in the Alta View Stake Center, 1850 East 8600 South, Sandy, Utah. A viewing will be held Tuesday, 6-8 p.m. at Goff Mortuary, 8090 So. State, Midvale, and Wednesday, 10:45-11:45 a.m. at the stake center. Interment, Larkin Sunset Gardens.
Doug Richards
I remember her as a great person-I'm sorry to learn of her passing.
Jill Wonnacott (Dunford)
Joann and I were in Dance Club together, and she was such a great friend. I remember heading out in her fun little sports car to different activities. She was always so full of life and enthusiasm - always a smile on her face!
Vic McClintic
I don't remember hearing this at the last reunion. She was always a good natured, fun person. We were in jr and sr high at the same time. She was always smiling!! I'm especually sad for Greg and children. Missing a GREAT MOM and WIFE, is something we hope will NEVER HAPPEN!!
Joan Knudsen (Connolly)
I remember JoaAnne with sweet memories. She was always so friendly and I remember her dad being the principal! How lucky we all are to have known so many great people at East High!!
Karren Kelly (Hammer)
JoAnne came to my home for lunch one day when Jill Wonnacott Dunford was in town. I had heard that she had been sick but her upbeat personality, her smiling face and jovial attitude belied in my mind any thought that what she had was serious. She was the life of the party! I met JoAnne in Pep Club at East (wasn't she one of our marching chairmen?) and thought she was adorable ever after. East High provided me the opportunity to know JoAnne and I'm so grateful. What a great example she is!
Ron Giles
I knew JoAnne at Douglas Elementary school. I was the only guy that could catch her. Secretly, I was in love with her till my family moved away when we were 11 year olds. I guess Greg was a faster runner - she was a great catch for him. What a shock to read she had passed away.
Jill Gibson (Serfustini)
JoAnne was a best friend from Kindergarten through East High. Living around the corner from one another, we walked to school together all those years. We played together in the days when you didn’t have to go home until the street lights came on. We took swimming lessons together at the Deseret Gym, played tennis on the East High courts, roller skated until our knees were bleeding and played soccer in the streets. We walked to church and kept each other active when our parents weren’t exactly the best examples of attendance. In Junior High we walked up and down that hill every day, never even thinking about asking a parent to drive us. But those were the days when it was our own responsibility to get where we needed to be. At East we even served together as “marching chairmen” for the Pep Club, double dated and did our homework together. Through those years we laughed together and cried together. We shared one another’s burdens and deepest secrets. We lost touch, somewhat, after college because she had married Greg and I was still single. We enjoyed putting together the first Pep Club Reunion and reliving good times. I drove to Salt Lake for her last Birthday party. She was so thin and weary.
I loved her very much as only girl friends can. I admire her for the fine woman she became. I still think about her often and look forward to seeing her again.