Joyce (Jackie) Johnson Farnsworth
1931 — 2022
Joyce “Jackie” Johnson Farnsworth, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother passed away May 23, 2022, in Orem, Utah with her family by her side. She was born April 12, 1931, in Taber, Alberta, Canada — the 8th of 11 children of Leith and Myrtle Johnson. She graduated from Taber High School and attended Brigham Young University. Jackie enjoyed music and sports and played on her high school women’s basketball team that won the Alberta championship in 1949. She also loved sewing, quilting, gardening, reading, traveling, and spending time with family.
During her BYU years, she performed with the first-ever team of Cougarettes and met her sweetheart Karl Farnsworth of Beaver, Utah. Following a spirited courtship, they were sealed in the Cardston, Alberta Temple on May 9, 1951.
Jackie and Karl were blessed with and survived by 6 children: Reed (Wendy) Farnsworth (Orem, UT), Karlyn (Ed) Norton (Orem, UT), Brian (Nickie) Farnsworth (Bluffdale, UT), Tracy (Michelle) Farnsworth (Meridian, ID), Tami (David) Bryan (River Heights, UT), and Linda (Tom) Hooker (Lehi, UT). They have 35 grandchildren, 84 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
Jackie was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was a teacher and leader in all of the auxiliary organizations of the Church. She served alongside her husband as they presided over the California Los Angeles Mission; served in the presidency of the Provo Utah Missionary Training Center; labored as Church Education System (CES) Missionary Coordinators in Salt Lake City; and served for many years as temple ordinance workers in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. Jackie also accompanied and assisted Karl on extended CES assignments to Southeast Asia and numerous BYU study abroad tours to Israel and the Middle East.
Jackie prioritized the things of eternity. She dearly loved and served the Lord, her family, neighbors, and friends throughout her life.
Jackie is preceded in death by her parents and by 7 of her 10 siblings. Surviving sisters are Letha Lamb (Lethbridge, Alberta), Peggy Hiatt (Lethbridge, Alberta), and Rita Simmons (St. George, UT.)
Funeral services will be held Monday, June 6, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Orem Utah Cascade Stake Center, 481 E. Center Street, Orem, UT. The family will receive friends Sunday, June 5, 2022, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North, Orem; and from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the funeral service at the stake center. A Live Broadcast of service may be viewed beginning at 11 am at www.walkersanderson.com where condolences and memories may be shared online with the family. Interment: Orem City Cemetery.
The family expresses appreciation and gratitude to Maple Creek Hospice for the wonderful care given to Jackie.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Fund.