Joan Taylor

Joan was born in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, on August 11, 1944. Her parents, Ted and Kay (nee Welch) Hackett moved their young family to Salt Lake City where Ted supported the family as an engineer for Eimco. For a brief time the family moved to Ohio before returning to the Salt Lake area. Joan attended public schools up through Olympus High School. She made her mark and is well-known in the tennis world playing in Salt Lake City and traveling to tournaments throughout the west. Skiing, crafts, and taking extended walks were also part of Joan’s life. She is well known among family and friends for her creative and intricate cake decorations. Her children continue with many traditions Joan initiated, the most outstanding being her introduction of nightly visits from the Christmas Elves at Christmas time. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and attended classes at the University of Utah for two years before leaving college to support herself and her daughter, Joani. While attending classes at the University of Utah, Joan rekindled a budding relationship with Doug, whom she married in 1967. During their courtship, Joan worked for Eimco in administration followed by five years with Hewlett-Packard. She left Hewlett-Packard when her first son, Ted, was born. After leaving Hewlett-Packard, Joan devoted herself to being a mother and homemaker. As with all things, she threw her entire efforts into being a mother and was frequently involved in school, youth sports programs, and community activities. In 1980, Joan, along with her husband and sons, Ted and Doug Jr. moved to Littleton, Colorado. Her daughter, Joani, remained in the Salt Lake area having recently been married. In Colorado, she continued to be heavily involved in school activities and the support of her children. After her sons graduated from high school, Joan returned to her own academic pursuits and ultimately graduated from Metropolitan State College of Denver with a degree in psychology, Summa Cum Laude, in 1994. With her standing in the Psychology Department at Metropolitan State, she was invited to be a board member on the committee for approving graduate study research.

Anyone who knew Joan knew she was a kind, gentle person who constantly put others ahead of herself. It was obvious that she loved her family and adored her grandchildren. Joan selflessly and continually gave of herself to her family and anyone else who came into her life.

On December 14, 2014, Joan succumbed to challenges brought about by complications arising from a cardiac ablation. She is survived by her husband, Doug, daughter, Joani, (Steve) and sons, Ted (Julie), and Doug Jr., (Caroline). Her grandchildren, Chelsi, (Nathaniel), Doug, (Janel) Leah, Grace, Madison, Riley, and Sierra held a special place in her heart, as did her great-granddaughter, Hayden. She is also survived by her brother, Ted, (Naomi), sister Debbie, (Ron) and sister, Sally. Joan will be missed immeasurably by family members and many others.