Joan Marie Silva Jensen

Joan grew up in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, the oldest of five children of John Silva and Helen Smith.

Joan was fiercely proud of her Portuguese and New England heritage. She loved being a “Portagee,” and being a “Boston Girl.” She never lost her Boston accent, even after being away for over 70 years. She graduated from East Bridgewater High School in 1950 and was loved by all in her class.

Professionally, Joan was an Accountant and worked in that profession prior to and throughout her marriage, including in the Family Moving Business and as a partner in a Chiropractic Practice. She was always good with numbers and could usually do most computations in her head.

Joan married the love of her life, Vernon Jensen, on November 15, 1952. She often said that it was a miracle that she married Vern, who was a Utah “Mormon Boy” serving in the Air Force in Massachusetts during the Korean War. Raised a devout Catholic, she later joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Joan and Vern have 4 children: Kim (Patrick), Kurt (Sheri), Kelly (Sue), and Keith (Jennifer), 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Joan was preceded in death by her son Kurt, and her siblings Marilyn, Ron, and John.

Joan was always active in community and Church positions, having served in the PTA when her children were young, and in various church positions. In her Church positions, she served in Primary, Young Women’s and Relief Society, having served as a Young Women’s President (at age 70!), and as a Relief Society President.

She also served with Vern for decades in the Texas Dallas Temple, stopping only to serve a Temple Mission in Nauvoo, the capstone of their lives of church service. The other temple workers looked forward to her homemade bread and jam that she brought on their assigned nights.

Joan and Vern also served for many years with the Young Single Adults, acting as pseudo grandparents to many. Their home was always open to strangers and friends alike and Joan’s cooking, especially her bread, orange rolls, cinnamon rolls, and pies were legendary.

Sunday Family Dinner was a regular event that the family looked forward to, and Holiday meals were a gathering time for the family that children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren alike all looked forward to.

Joan loved the holidays, and Christmas was a time where each child, grandchild, and great grandchild was showered with love and presents from “Gi-Gi” and “G-Pa.” The grandchildren particularly looked forward to the “fashion shows” to model their new clothes.

Joan’s love and laughter will be greatly missed, and her vibrant testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His teachings will never be forgotten and will be impressed upon her friends and posterity for generations to come.