Joan Baxter Peay

Joan May Baxter Peay, 81, beloved wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, grandmother and friend passed away on June 3, 2021 after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer. Her belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ gave her comfort as she passed from this world to the next.

Joan was born on April 4, 1940 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Clain Brown Baxter and Irene Ruth Powell Baxter. She was dearly loved by her parents and her older brothers, Raymond and Lynn. Her early years were spent growing up in the avenues of Salt Lake City. She enjoyed school and was a good student. Church and friends were important in her life from the time she was a little girl.

As a teenager, Joan was popular and fun, sporting the latest fashions. She graduated from West High School in 1958. She attended the University of Utah for one year and Stevens-Henager Business College, where she was the fastest typist in her class at 130 words per minute and became extremely proficient at shorthand, skills she used throughout her life.

She married her high school sweetheart, John Marvin Peay, in the Salt Lake City Temple on December 17, 1959. Joan and John Marvin were not only partners in marriage, but in all aspects of life. Together, they raised their son, Curtis. For many years she worked alongside John Marvin as entrepreneurs in their donut, restaurant and home construction businesses, to include operating the Carriage House Restaurant in Bountiful and Teddy Bear Restaurant & Tasty Donuts in Kaysville. Joan consistently handled the daily accounting for their businesses and always maintained a beautiful home.

Joan worked many years, primarily at Sperry, Kenway Engineering and Unisys corporations, as an executive secretary. She was well respected and regarded for her proficiency in taking shorthand dictation, fast and accurate typing, organizational skills and professionalism. Joan was a vital asset in making the workplace run smoothly.

Visiting Joan and John Marvin’s home was always a memorable experience. Joan was an exemplary and delightful hostess. The food she prepared was always delicious and their home was inviting, comfortable and fashionably decorated. Her potato salad, carrot cake, tapioca pudding and organic vegetable soup were just a few of her specialities.

Joan loved music and was an accomplished pianist and played by ear. She shared her musical talents and instilled a love of music in Curtis.

She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and faithfully served in many church positions throughout her life. Her greatest love was teaching children in the Primary organization.

Joan has been an example of kindness, goodness, charity, perseverance and service. She recognized other’s individuality, qualities and strengths. She was gracious, hard working, and generous. She took joy in seeing others happy and doing well. She had unconditional love for everyone and especially loved her time with family. She considered her grandchildren one of her greatest blessings. Her smile, dedication and example will be remembered in a life well lived. She will be missed dearly by her loved ones and friends.

Joan is survived by her husband of 61 years, John Marvin Peay; her son Curtis (Carla) Peay; and her three grandchildren, Greg (Eliza) Peay, McKenzie Peay and Ryan Peay. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers Raymond Baxter and Lynn Baxter.

A funeral celebrating Joan’s life will be held Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Church (stake center) located at 677 South 700 West, Hurricane, UT. It will be live streamed at: https://youtu.be/BFXwme52i60. A visitation for close family and friends will be held that same day from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Interment is at the Virgin Pioneer Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank Dixie Hospice, especially Monique, Vanessa, Kathy, Sara and Jill for their kind and compassionate care for Joan. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the LDS Humanitarian Fund or your favorite charity in Joan’s name.