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Jean Williams

06/10/1943 - 10/24/2020
Service Date: 10/31/2020
Service Time: 11 AM
Service Location: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 525 E. 2nd Ave., Mesa, AZ 85204
Visitation Date: 10/31/2020
Visitation Time: 10:00 - 10:45 AM
Visitation Location: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 525 E. 2nd Ave., Mesa, AZ 85204
Interment: Salt Lake City Cemetery

Jean Williams, 77, of Mesa, Arizona peacefully passed away from ovarian cancer on Saturday, October 24, 2020 with her two children by her side.  Jean was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all her life.  She was born on June 10, 1943 in Elko, Nevada and as a young girl she moved to Provo, UT where she graduated from Provo High School and then attended Utah Tech and graduated with her Business Certificate while also taking evening classes at BYU. She worked as head bookkeeper for Central Bank for three-years and served a two-year Stake Mission in the Provo West Utah Stake. She married Keith Johansen on July 9, 1963 in the Salt Lake City Temple and then after Keith graduated from BYU they moved to Manchester, Connecticut so he could attend graduate school.  Their son Kurt, and daughter Wendy were born while there and in 1968 the family moved to Tempe, Arizona.

Although she was mostly a homemaker while raising her children, Jean had many callings in the church within the Relief Society and as a Sunday School Teacher, Ward Librarian, Young Women Advisor and many years in the Primary as a Chorister and teaching the Sunbeams and nursery children.  She loved having an extended ward family to love and serve and was often busy with lesson preparations, sewing gifts, and thoughtfully sending cards in the mail.  Jean touched the lives of so many with her true kindness, love and generosity.

Jean loved the Lord’s holy temple.  She was a weekly volunteer in the Mesa Temple for eleven years while her children were young and then after they were grown, she worked full-time in the Clothing Department for 22-years and retired in 2008.  Immediately upon retirement she was called as an Ordinance Worker where she was serving until the temporary closure in 2018.

In addition to her love of the church and temple, Jean loved music and singing from an early age even participating in an All-State Chorus in High School and many Ward and Stake Choirs through the years.  She performed in the annual Mesa Temple Easter Pageant eight times, twice portraying the role of Mary.

Jean is survived by her sisters, Terry (Arlyn) Finlinson of Delta, UT and Shauna Williams of Tempe, AZ and her brother Clint Williams (Christine) of Ogden, UT.  Her two children Kurt (Stacy) of Chandler, AZ and Wendy Johansen of Phoenix, AZ along with her grandchildren Ryan, Max and Rylee Johansen were the joys of her life.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Nell Williams and her brother Donnell.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2020, with viewing from 10-10:45am and funeral service at 11:00am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 525 E. 2nd Ave., Mesa, AZ 85204. Funeral arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, Mesa, AZ (480)964-8686. Burial in the Salt Lake City Cemetery (Larkin Mortuary).

Funeral Services’ Zoom Link: https://churchofjesuschrist.zoom.us/my/just1miller
Meeting ID 4802325240

 

Condolences

  • My love and prayers go with each family member who lives and misses Jean. I do not know here but know and love her daughter Wendy dearly. Wendy has followed her mother’s example of service and I’m sure she is smiling upon her daughter.

  • Curtis and Hyeson Busby

    We are so sad to hear of your mom’s passing, Wendy! She was a remarkable woman, and we know she will be missed. We are thinking of you, and keeping you in our prayers.

  • What a beautiful Temple legacy she leaves behind. Her love of the Lord reflects greatly through her service and song. What a wonderful woman you got to call Mom. My sincere condolences to you and your family and a big congratulations to your Mother! Love, Carmen

  • My dear friend Wendy, my deepest condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you always. I will keep your mother’s lovely smile and kindness towards me in my heart.

  • So very sorry to learn of Jean’s passing but glad that she was surrounded by love.

  • Tedd and Linda Brandon

    Our condolences to you and your family. While always difficult to lose loved ones, Mothers are special, especially to daughters. Our love, prayers and thank you’s go out to you for your dedication and example you have been to all of us who know you and serve with in the Temple.

  • Allen & Julie Blau family

    We loved getting to know Sis Williams in our ward/neighborhood. She always had a beautiful smile on and was so great with the Primary class that she and Sis Teeter taught. Those little kiddos loved them. We will miss her.

  • Kilee Chamberlain

    Sweet Jean gave our daughter a stuff animal bunny that my daughter does not leave the house without and sleeps with every night. After hearing of Jeans passing, my daughter and I hugged “purple bunny” and talked about Jean going to heaven to be with Jesus. It was a special moment where tears of love were shed. I am so grateful for what a sweet woman she was to my family. ❤️

  • Hello Wendy!! I’m sure you don’t know me but I knew your sweet mother in primary for over 6 years! There’s was a special connection between Jen and her little class with all these kids . They loved her so much, she was great on her calling !Willing to serve all the time and happy to help others that’s how I remember no forgetting her beautiful smile. We all love her! She will be in our hearts forever. My deepest condolences for you and your family ❤️

  • Farrell and Diane Smith

    We knew Jean for many, many years and had the chance to spend quality time with her. She was a very faithful member of the Church and she was a great mom to Kurt and Wendy who were also an important part of our lives. We’re sorry we’re in Oklahoma and unable to attend her service but we know it will be a sweet memorial for a very special woman 💗

  • Kate and Adam Martinez

    I was in Jean’s ward in Mesa for years and was her neighbor has well. She was always so good to my little family. She even came to our home in Phoenix after we moved and after I had my last baby and visited and brought me a gift. I didn’t even realize Wendy was her daughter, we are in the same Stake in Ahwatukee. Jean will be missed by us. Our thoughts are with her family as they mourn her. She was a beautiful soul.

  • Jean was so kind to everyone. She appreciated any little treat that was dropped at her house. So thoughtful. So humble. She will be missed.

  • Sam and Julia Young

    Jean touched the lives of so many, including ours. She always went out of her way to greet us and serve us. When my husband was battling cancer, she often called or showed up with food or goodies and advice as she had just gone through similar treatments. She felt like family and we will deeply miss her. ❤️

  • Wendy – My deepest condolences and sympathies for your loss. Jean’s best qualities live on in you – service, kindness, and faithfulness. Love and prayers for your family.

  • I was so privileged to meet Jean in the Mesa Arizona temple where we both served as ordinance workers. When the temple closed we would travel to the Gilbert temple together And then have lunch. This angel has gone back home now And I’m sure she is continuing her service. Love you, Jean 😇💕

  • I was so privileged to meet Jean in the Mesa Arizona temple where we both served as ordinance workers. When the temple closed we would travel to the Gilbert temple together And then have lunch. This angel has gone back home now, And I’m sure she is continuing her service. Love you, Jean 😇💕

  • Shirley and Jim France

    Our sympathy and love go to Kurt, Stacy, Ryan, Max, Rylee and Wendy on the passing of their beloved mother and grandmother. We can’t think of Jean without seeing her beautiful smile. She was a very loving and giving, sweet lady. We share her grandchildren and know how much she loved them and couldn’t have been more proud of them. They will certainly miss their loving and caring grandmother, and have so many great memories they shared.

  • Shirley and Jim France

    Our sympathy and love go to Kurt, Stacy, Ryan, Max, Rylee and Wendy on the loss of their mother and grandmother. Jean was a very loving, caring and sweet lady. We share her grandchildren and know how proud and loving she was of them. She will be missed dearly, but the great memories she shared with them will always be with them to give comfort. 💕🙏

  • I have had the opportunity to be in Jean’s home several times. She is such a sweet, beautiful Sister. Even when she was in pain, she smiled. She has a beautiful smile. She tried to be strong and continue to serve. I loved to see her in the Temple to serve all of us that came! May the Lord bless her family! Love you Jean and we will miss your sweet Spirit.

  • Jean was an instant friend! When I met her in the Mesa Temple, as a co-worker, we felt like we were kindred spirits. We worked there together for four years. During that time, we (and 5 other sisters) went on a California Coastal Cruise for a week. It was a delightful experience for all of us and we will remember it forever. I’m thankful for Jean in my life. I’m thankful I’ve had the opportunity to be in her home and feel the comfortable love that is so prevalent there. I know she loves her family and especially her grandchildren as she had to share those special pictures with us. Jean will be missed. The world was a better place with her in it. She was a sweet, humble and wonderful friend. Love you dear Jean.

  • Diane Dascanio

    I just was looking through obituaries and saw that Jean had passed. She was a sweet , kind, loving daughter of God. We had a wonderful time on a cruise with other friends. She was always smiling and happy. She loves her family and I am sure that she is still watching over her loved ones. She is missed. I often think of her when I drive by the temple where we served together. God bless.

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