Joann Marie James

Joann Marie James, age 70, of Centennial, Colorado passed away on Saturday, April 28, 2018. Joann was born December 18, 1947. She is preceded in death by her father, Howard James Couture. Joann is survived by her husband of 39 years, Bruce Howard James; children, Benjamin Worthy, with his wife Lei, who reside in Hong Kong, Annette Zoe, with her husband Joshua Dahl, who reside in Troy, Michigan, and Erin Claire, with her husband Michael Christofferson, who reside in Highlands Ranch, Colorado; 12 grandchildren: Savanah, Aubrianna, Ingrid, Dillon, Alex, Isabella, Paul, Elizabeth, Nathan, Charles, Bryson and William; her mother, Nettie Shook; brother Craig Couture; and other loving family and friends.

Joann was born in Sheridan, Wyoming, and when she was young her family moved to nearby Cody where she grew up. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado, and served as a teacher for many years, helping middle and high school students learn French, drama, social studies, English and a variety of other subject matters. She met her sweetheart, Bruce, while she was working in Denver, Colorado, and the two were married in the Provo, Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on December 15, 1978. They began married life in Midland, Texas, where Benjamin and Annette were born, and then moved back to Denver in 1982, where Claire was born and they would reside for the rest of their lives.

Joann was kind to all and loved by many. She served in a variety of callings in her church, but more importantly was an example of someone that looked for opportunities to love and serve those around her. She is remembered for her beautiful smile, her positive optimism and her willingness to take in and comfort those that had nowhere else to turn to. Her greatest act of service was the way in which she faithfully and dutifully served her husband after he suffered a severe injury during the last ten months of her life. Buoyed by her deep faith in God and her belief that trials were opportunities to grow, she never faltered in her desire to serve God and those around her.

A Visitation for Joann will be held Tuesday, May 1, 2018 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary & Cemetery, 6601 South Colorado Blvd, Centennial, Colorado. A Funeral service will begin at 11:00 am, Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 6061 S Havana St, Englewood, Colorado, immediately followed by a Committal service at 12:30 pm at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary & Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerchapelhill.com for the James family.