Joan Butler Neilson

1931 ~ 2013
On January 9, 2013, Joan Butler Neilson, our incredible wife, mother, sister, aunt and grandmother passed away after an unwavering six-year battle with Multiple Myeloma, 23 days before her 82nd birthday.
Born to Alva Despain Butler and Mary Alice Spencer Butler, Joan was six when she and her family moved to Newfoundland, Canada where her father was a mining engineer. After just one year, Alva died from pneumonia and Alice and her three young children moved back to Salt Lake City.
Although life was difficult, Alice raised her three children well, working to ensure that each of them earned college degrees. For Joan, that meant bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Utah and a doctorate from BYU. From then on she was known as Dr. Jo, and she had the license plates to prove it.
Joan had a profound positive influence on thousands of students' lives as her 35-year career in education was spent as a teacher, counselor, administrator and principal in the Granite School District.
While in college, Joan was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority as well as the Spurs society. Later in life, she was a member of the Women's State Legislative Council of Utah and, for many years was a board member and president of the Granite Federal Credit Union.
Joan played the organ and piano beautifully. However, as a full-time educator, wife and mom, she eventually stopped playing. Her love for music, though, never ceased. Every weekend, at some point, the house would be filled with the sounds of either Mario Lanza, Engelbert Humperdinck, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir or FM100. Her devoted husband would light a fire in the fireplace to accompany that music and her ritual reading of the Sunday newspaper.
Joan was the most amazing mom and wife. Whether it was a birthday, anniversary, holiday or other important occasion for family and friends, she never once missed acknowledging it with a gift, card or decorating the house in the appropriate theme, especially at Christmas time.
Her love for travel took her to Japan, Israel, Tahiti, Mexico, Russia, China, Germany, Italy and many others. She was also an avid reader and keen bridge player.
Joan is survived by her husband of 60 years, Russell A. Neilson, son Scott (Julie) Neilson, daughter Lesli (Scott) Sommerdorf, sister Janet Butler Bean, brother Alva Jerry (Anne) Butler and four beautiful grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her father Alva, mother Alice and brother Spencer.
Friends and family are invited to pay their respects on January 16, 6-8 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 Highland Drive, Salt Lake City. A short graveside service will take place on January 19, 1 p.m. at Washington City Cemetery, 111 North 100 East, Washington, UT.
The family sincerely thanks the numerous people who showed Joan the utmost respect during her care at Utah Cancer Specialists, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Aspen Park Rehabilitation and Silverado Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan's honor to Memorial and Honor Program, Huntsman Cancer Foundation, 500 Huntsman Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108.