Joyce Udell Miller

RIVER HEIGHTS, UTAH: Joyce Udell Miller: January 25, 1930-0ctober 26 ,2010 passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family from complications due to a stroke.
Joyce was born in Sonora, Cananea, Mexico to Mable Smith and Harvey Stewart Udell, the second of four children. She spent her childhood in Lehi and Cedar City, Utah and Seattle, Washington. She graduated from Seattle High School. She graduated with a B.S. in Engineering from Washington University.
She met Raymond W. Miller, and four years later they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 21, 1951.
She worked for Boeing Aircraft as an engineer while Raymond went to graduate school. Upon his completion she ended her career to begin a family.
They moved to River Heights where they built their home and began raising their five children. Joyce was always supportive in everything her husband, Raymond, did. They relocated with their children to New Brunswick, NJ while Raymond was on sabbatical at Rutgers University. She was also willing to relocate her family as far away as Venezuela, South America for three years to aid the locals in the yield of banana crops. Upon returning to the states in 1971, she went to work as a real estate agent, but her main interest was in politics. She was the first woman to serve on the River Heights City Council where she served many years.
Joyce's talents and interests were many. She enjoyed gardening and arranging flowers, the Iris being her favorite. She also enjoyed cooking, the game of Bridge, politics, literature, knitting, and travel. She enjoyed being involved in 'Daughters of the Utah Pioneers' and the 'Daughters of the Revolution'. She traveled extensively to many parts of the world, including Russia, China, Europe, South and Central America, Egypt, West Africa and India.
Literature was a very important part of her life. She taught her children and grandchildren the importance of literature in everyday life from a very young age, as well as the importance of respect for all books. She was very proud of the fact that she was well read and that people remember her for her sharp memory and strong intelligence.
She had extensive knowledge of Church history, as well as the Gospel Doctrine which she loved. She served as a teacher in the Gospel Doctrine Sunday School class in her River Heights ward for many years.
She is survived by children, Todd (Kelly) of Logan; Ann (Michael) Hansen of Israel; Ross of Ogden; Kay (Tom) Cole of New Mexico. Grandchildren Tori (Dan) Orton, Tanner and Skyler Miller, Allen (Katia) Hansen, Bryan, Eliana, and Yaron Hansen, Aubrey Miller, Christine and Mark Cole. Great-grandchild, Courtnie Orton due December 2010.
Siblings, Ruth Fortney of California; Carol Oresick of Smithfield; and David Udell of Hyrum.
Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and youngest son Mark Robert Miller.
Special thanks to Hospice for their kind and gentle care in behalf of our Mom, Grandmom, Sister and friend.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 1, 2010 in the River Heights Stake Center. A viewing will be held on Sunday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center Street in Logan, and prior to services at the church on Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Interment will be in the Providence City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net