Joyce N. Stewart

Joyce N. Stewart, beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and Friend passed away in her home after enduring many years of debilitating pain from spinal stenosis and scoliosis.

Our hearts are broken. Her wisdom, intelligence, elegance, charm, music, poetry and grace will be deeply missed.

Born July 03, 1931, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Joseph Felland Nilson and Marguerite Earnshaw Nilson. An adorable little girl with Shirley Temple curls and hazel eyes stole the hearts of many. Her proud mother gave her all kinds of lessons including piano, dance and tap which led to competitive dance teams and daring acrobatic tricks that cost her a permanent front tooth while completing a back rollover. She was an accomplished pianist developing high levels of technical skill, musicality, and expressive ability on the piano. She wrote many musical compositions including the songbook ‘When I Smile’ that hundreds of children enjoyed in the Primary Community,

She graduated from South High School in 1948 where she developed the love of history and writing along with making lifetime friendships. Her work ethic inspired by her mom led to being a candy striper, working for Geneva Steel and Mountain Fuel Supply which paid her tuition at Brigham Young University. She set sail on the first ever BYU Study Abroad European Tour where the students en route by bus from SLC were guests at the Whitehouse. After reaching Europe and traveling to many countries, she had the opportunity of shaking hands with the Vatican Pope.

After frequent dates to the Great Saltair dancing the night away she married the love of her life J. Bruce Stewart on October 1, 1953, in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they shared many happy memories and raised five wonderful daughters. They loved, laughed and cried. They endured heartaches of juvenile diabetes with two of their children, never losing Faith in God. Joyce was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of her life. She served many callings including Sunday School President, Music Director and Pianist, Ward Music Coordinator, Chorister and Visiting Teacher. Through the years her poetry and composition of music touched so many lives.

She was a champion of baking pies, homemade rolls, healthy meals and creating tablescapes that enhance every holiday celebration. She loved adventure, gardening, flowers, concerts, travel and fun quick trips to Wendover.

Joyce and Bruce joined a bowling league which led to her passion surrounding OTC Penny Stocks and new friends (The Shady Ladies). She was dedicated and she developed strategies that worked for her becoming one of the best educated stockholders at any meeting. This venture enhanced family fun. Cruises with Bruce and many European adventures including Rocky Mountain Strings travel with her grandson and witnessing her daughter's marriage in the Netherlands.

Joyce valued her family more than anything. She was so proud of her five daughters, their honorable lives and service to others. She adored her grandchildren, and they adored their Mama! She celebrated their accomplishments and was passionate about their sports, music, theatre, dance and concerts. She was overjoyed by each great grandchild she was blessed to know and love, encouraging them every step along the way of life.

Joyce was preceded in death by: J. Bruce Stewart, Joseph Felland Nilson (Marguerite Earnshaw Nilson) Joseph Alma Nilson (Carol Jean Nilson), Gayle Earnshaw Nilson, Sonja Faye Nilson, June N. Hoenicke (Horst -Roy)

Joyce is survived by her loving five daughters which are her greatest legacy: Lori (Richard) Tolbert, Susan (Greg) Koch, JoAnn Stewart, Kristy (Brent) Halliday, Sherry (Adriaan) Laurijsen; 12 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren; Brother-in-law: Cordell (Judy Stewart) Sister-in-law: Christina Nilson.

Funeral Services will be held on Wed., May 21, 2025, at 12:00pm at Wasatch 5th Ward (1930 South 2100 East Salt Lake City, UT 84108). Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation Wed., May 21 from 10:30-11:30am prior to the services.

Services will be webcasted and may be viewed remotely by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp4Lccv9rAk

Internment – Wasatch Lawn (3401 S Highland Dr. Salt Lake City, UT 84106).

Online condolences may be left by clicking "Add a Memory" below.