Joyce Rollins

Our noble wife, mother, sister, and friend Joyce Mecham Rollins, 77, passed away on August 17, 2020 in South Jordan, Utah.  She was born July 6, 1943 in Heber, Utah to Dee ‘S’ Mecham and Alta Baird the 2nd of four children.

Joyce learned hard work from a young age.  At age 10, Joyce’s mother fell ill.  Joyce shouldered much of the responsibility to run the household and to raise her twin younger siblings.

During high school, Joyce worked several side jobs to pay for her own piano and organ lessons.  Former tabernacle organist, Roy Darley was one of her organ teachers.  She played the clarinet and was a member of the Wasatch High School pep club, the Waspettes.

Joyce pursued her education at Brigham Young University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Education in 1965.  She excelled in typing and taking shorthand and taught for a couple of years before she chose to stay home and raise her family.  She returned to school and completed a second bachelor’s degree in Special Education in 1987.  She taught for several years at Vineyard Elementary in Orem, Utah.

On August 20, 1965, Joyce was sealed in the Salt Lake LDS temple to her best friend and companion, Gaylin Wade Rollins. Together they raised four children Brian, Joylynn, Darin and Kristy.  Her home was a place where family and friends were welcomed and loved.  She enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren as they worked, interacted and just spent time together.

Mom was always using her hands to improve her little part of the world.  She kept a fastidious house where the spirit of our Heavenly Father could reside.  Joyce was meticulous in her handiwork of crocheting, tatting, knitting, embroidering and sewing. She loved crocheting baby afghans for each of her grandchildren. She loved making doll clothes for her dolls and those of family members.

Joyce was involved with music for much of her life – mostly playing the piano and organ.  For many years she served either as the ward organist or choir pianist.  She seemed to teach everyone piano lessons including the neighbors, children and grandchildren.  The last couple of years as she lost much of the ability to play the piano herself, she would perk up when her grandchildren would come to perform for her.

Joyce loved to keep track of what was happening to each family member.  She prepared individual scrapbooks for each of her children and grandchildren with accomplishments, pictures, and memories.  Grandma could quickly recall dates, places, and events even years later.  Often, extended family would reach out to her to confirm important family dates and events.  She used these skills to research and extend many lines of her ancestors.

Our mother loved the gospel of Jesus Christ.  She particularly enjoyed her service as a temple worker and organist in the Mount Timpanogos LDS temple.  She and Gaylin served as missionaries in the Provo MTC international center and eighteen months as missionaries in the Cleveland, Ohio mission – Mom particularly enjoyed her time serving in Kirtland.

For the last ten years of her life, Joyce nobly dealt with the crippling affects of Parkinson’s disease.  She patiently endured and kept her focus on how she could help others, especially her family.

She is survived by her husband, Gaylin of nearly 55 years and children: Brian (Brandy) Rollins, Joylynn (Rob) Bennett, Darin (Camille) Rollins, and Kristy (Jamin) Bitter, 19 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, brothers Harvey and Dale Mecham, sister Darlene Seely, and step-sister Lorna Hoyt.  She was preceded in death by her parents Dee and Alta Mecham along with Dee’s second wife “Grandma Joyce” (Abplanalp).

Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Monday, August 24, 2020 and a public viewing will be held from 5-7 pm on Sunday, August 23, 2020 both at Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State Street, Orem, Utah.  Internment at Orem City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her name to the General Missionary Fund of the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints. Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.