Jocelyn Kirk Lelis

Our wonderful mother and grandmother, Jocelyn (Jo) Kirk Lelis, passed away on February 10, 2015 at her home in Salt Lake City, just short of her 85th birthday. Jo was born March 7, 1930 in Salt Lake City to Walter LaVerl Kirk and Ethel Fowkes Kirk; she was the second of four children. Jo’s parents were both deaf and she became proficient in American Sign Language. She graduated from West High School and attended the University of Utah.

Jocelyn Kirk married John Lelis on April 10, 1948. She helped out in her husband’s automotive and machine shop for a few years after they were married before settling down to raise four children, first in Bountiful and later in Salt Lake City.

Jo was an avid bridge player and spent many an afternoon playing with her friends. She loved her books, her music, and her family. Jo was a selfless caregiver, taking care of her husband John who was ill before his death, and caring for her aging mother for 21 years.

Jo is a cancer survivor and was featured on an LDS Hospital billboard “Cancer Free Since 1998”. She served many years as a block captain for the American Cancer Society collecting and arranging donations from her neighborhood. She had two strokes in recent years but was able to remain in her home with the help of family and the care givers at Home Care Assistance

Jo is preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her sister Shirley (Tom) Jensen. She is survived by her sister Edith (Lee) Asay; her brother Walter Kirk; her sister in-law Betty (Bryce) Sorensen; her four children, Mike Lelis; Craig (Joan) Lelis; Kris (Bill) Braak; and Brian(Michelle) Lelis. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Elizabeth (Prathap) Ramamurthy; Peter (Lauren) Lelis; John (Joni) Lelis; James Lelis; Sarah Lelis; Julia Lelis; Jenny Braak; Mike Braak; and seven great grandchildren: Clara, Eden, Samuel, Olive, Eva, Alice, and Lucy.

Funeral services will be held at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive, on Saturday February 14, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. Friends and family may join us for a viewing one-hour prior to the service at 10:00 A.M., as well as a Viewing at 6:00 P.M. on Friday, February 13, 2015. Interment at the Wasatch Lawn Cemetery following the service.

Jo’s family would like to send a special thank you to Wendy Kichiro and the care givers at Home Care Assistance; and the staff at A Step Forward.

Arrangements under the direction of Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, Salt Lake City, UT.