A live broadcast of the service can be found at https://utah.zoom.us/j/92331165649

On July 15, 2022, Joyce Katherine Comben Manning–a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt–returned to heaven for a joyous reunion with Dale Manning, the eternal love of her life.

Joyce was born June 24, 1939, in St Louis, Missouri, to Robert and Mary Comben and the oldest of three siblings. She met Dale at Lehi High School, the same school she graduated from in 1957. Joyce and Dale married on April 11,1959, and were sealed for eternity in the Laie Hawaii Temple in January 1960, where Dale was stationed for the US Army. Together they raised five children and helped raise countless more.

Joyce's greatest joy was her family, which included not only her blood kin but also a couple strays she picked up along the way. She loved reading to her children, with a different voice for every character, and teaching them to work hard, like by canning 100 jars of jam a year! When in public with her family, Joyce would drag them around showing them off to whomever she could. If you were caught in a struggle, she would join in the fray with claws bared. None was more devoted or more fiercely protective of her family than our dear, sweet Joyce.

After joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 18, Joyce served faithfully in many callings, including as a teacher, achievement day leader, and Relief Society president. In 2007, Joyce and her beloved spouse fulfilled a service mission at the Church Employment Center in American Fork.

Joyce's life was filled with a passion for artistry, leading her to develop many unique skills she shared with others. From sewing orange terry cloth matching shirts for her children to creating beautiful cross stitches and blessing gowns to helping several grandchildren choose wedding rings for their future spouses.

Joyce worked at the Utah State Prison for 20 years, where she was well respected among both colleagues and inmates–who affectionately called her "Mom" because she treated them as individuals of worth. Joyce taught many inmates how to crochet, took her children there for haircuts, and was often visited by former inmates who thanked her for instilling in them an incentive to change. After retirement, Joyce spent many years doing what she loved–being a full time grandma and traveling with her husband.

Joyce had a lifelong love of learning, both of the beautiful world around her and the wonderful people in it. She never met a stranger, because anyone meeting Joyce became her instant friend. She centered conversations around her new friends, and within minutes, they would be recounting their life story. Joyce loved sharing these tales with her family and expressed amazement people would divulge so much to someone they had just met. She was completely naive to the charm and love she radiated.

Joyce always championed the underdog, from her children, both those she bore and those she adopted, and grandchildren to the lifelong friends she made at the restaurants she frequented. She would do all in her power to help lift the burdens of others.

Joyce was preceded in death in 2011 by Dale, her loving husband of 52 years. She is survived by her children Joe, Ruth, David, Mary, Andrew, Filippo Diaz, and Dave Taylor and also by her sister Terry, brother Bob, 26 grandchildren, and 38 great-grandchildren. Now with her eternal mate, she works to prepare a place for us all to be happily reunited someday. Joyce, we'll see you soon!

A viewing will be held on Monday, July 25, 2022 starting at 9:00 AM at the Canyon View 3rd Ward Chapel, 762 East 1200 North, Orem, Utah.  Funeral service will start at 10:00 AM right after the viewing.  Interment will take place on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 in the Lehi City Cemetery, 1100 North 400 East.

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