Joan Lythgoe Dial

Salt Lake City, UT — Our radiant matriarch, Joan Lythgoe Dial, passed away Wednesday, August 2, 2023, surrounded by her adoring family in the peace of her home. She joins her sweetheart, Sherrell (Bob) Dial, who passed away just shy of three months ago. Their love was contagious, and our memories of that love will continue to wrap around us like a warm blanket. 

Joan, daughter of Allen Whitney Lythgoe and Mabel Maxine Perkins, spent her childhood in Magna and Granger (West Valley), Utah, amidst the turbulent backdrop of WWII. Though there were many struggles in her young life, Joan had a resilient spirit and worked hard to choose happiness at every opportunity. Even up until her last days, she would always wake early to “get the most out of the day” and felt sleeping in was a waste of time.

Joan attended and graduated from Granite High School in 1952 where she knew Bob, but Bob didn't know her. At 19, she met in person the love of her life, Bob, on a blind date to Lagoon. In a short memoir she wrote of that time she recalled, “he was on a 30-day leave from Camp Pendleton, and we spent every single day and evening together. I fell head over heels in love with this handsome Marine.” They were married on November 28th, 1953, and later on November 1, 1963 were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple. They were blessed with six children: Sherrel (Thom), Joni (Kirk), Rob (Nancy), Ryan (Kathi) Troy (Cindy) and Devin.

Joan was not only an extraordinary mother and wife—she had an entrepreneurial spirit and started “Dial A Style” in her home in 1970. She lamented the fact that she never had a sister, so being the can-do woman she was, she built her own loving sisterhood through her home salon working tirelessly to make others feel and look fabulous. The faint odor of permanent chemicals was to her children a favorite and “welcome home” smell.  

Through the years, Joan welcomed 23 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren into the world. She was somehow able to carve out time to attend their sporting events, musical programs, recitals, and graduations. Gathering every year for the Dial family reunion brought her tremendous joy, and you could always find her giddily participating in family reunion skits, dances, and songs. She taught all of her grandkids that family is everything, life is as good as your attitude, and most importantly, how to love unconditionally.   

Joan had a deep and abiding faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ and found great JOY in serving Him whenever asked. Joan loved serving in all organizations of the church, but had a particular affinity for the Primary children. Bob and Joan cherished their 10 years of serving as ordinance workers in the Jordan River temple together. A further dream came true when they were called to serve on an LDS mission to the Minnesota, Minneapolis Mission from 2002-2004.

Joan took precious care of her home and family, never once taking for granted the luxuries of security, safety, and fun that she hadn’t experienced in her own childhood. She was a devoted mother, loving grandmother and great grandmother, beloved spouse, cherished friend, and a brave cancer survivor. Her courageous heart and generous spirit touched countless lives, and her sense of humor and ability to connect with people made her charming, warm and pure joy to be around. 

Joan was that classy blend of fun and fancy, strong but tender, gorgeous but humble. We’ll always hold the cherished picture in our minds of this radiant woman who in moments of laughter or joy, would throw her head back, then land in her lap and look up with that beaming, pearly white smile. What a blessing that such a woman existed, and what an extraordinary miracle that she was given to us to love.

If you would like to join us in celebrating Joan’s life, funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, August 19th, 11:00 am at the LDS Church Building, 1570 West 11400 South in South Jordan, Utah 84095. Viewing at the same location Friday the 18th 4:30 to 7:00pm and 9:30 to 10:30 preceding the service on Saturday. Interment: Valley View Memorial Park, 4335 West 4100 South immediately following the service. In perfect mom fashion, "Grey skies are gonna clear up, put on a happy face."