Joanna J. Atkinson

DOROTHEA JOANNA JENSON ATKINSON.
…………
Joanna Atkinson slipped peacefully from this life into the next on Sunday, November 15, 2020 of COVID related symptoms. The final labored breaths of her extraordinary 83 years were spent soaking in the love of her family—both virtually and in person. She smiled sweetly as she lovingly embraced the hands of two of her four children while the rest of the family shared peaceful affirmations of love through the miracle of technology.

To say that Joanna led a marvelous life would be selling her contributions to this world short. Dorothea Joanna Jenson was born on May 25, 1937, in Pocatello, Idaho, to James William Jenson and Dorothea Crowell Jenson.

Life in Pocatello was simple, yet fun. But when Joanna (known to many as Jo) was seven, her dad got a job helping build the 405 freeway in Los Angeles. So they packed up and left Idaho for their rightful home—the beach. The family settled in the LA suburb of Glendora, eventually became a family of six—Bill, Dorothea, Jo, Toni, Jim, and Susi. Jo quickly fell in love with sunshine, palm trees and sandy beaches, and, quite frankly, never looked back.

Joanna spent her teenage years galivanting around Southern California with her sisters and friends, from beaches to dances to movies to wherever the day took them. She graduated from Citrus High School and Citrus College, in Glendora, and eventually Brigham Young University, where she met the love of her life—John Horace Atkinson.

Joanna went by many things—Jo, Mom, Grandma, Mucka, Gaga, GG, but she was never anything but Babe to her beloved companion, John. John and Jo spent 45 glorious years married together on earth before his passing in February of 2007. We can only imagine his excitement as he welcomed her into Heaven with open arms and a sarcastic remark such as, “Babe, what took you so long?”.

John and Joanna met at a BYU dance, where, according to legend, she asked him for the first dance, and the rest is history. Their love affair culminated in marriage in the Los Angeles Temple, in August, 1961. Upon graduating from BYU, Joanna taught 2nd and 3rd grade in Orem. After John graduated from BYU, the lovebirds moved back to Glendora, where three of their four children were born. John built homes while Joanna continued to teach school until retiring when their first son, John, was born, followed by Kim and Billy. Even though she retired from teaching decades ago, everyone who met her came away knowing they’d learned from the best. Whether it was how to use proper punctuation, where to put the forks in a proper place setting, or how to properly treat others.

In 1975, the family of five picked up and moved back to Provo, where Robert, the baby, was born. John built their dream home in Quail Valley, and it will always be the family’s true home—even all these years after moving away. John and Joanna created an environment where everyone felt at home. College students stayed for a semester, old friends stayed for a week, and friends were always welcome to crash for a sleepover. The door was open, the Coke was flowing, the cookies were plentiful, and the pool table was hopping.

In 1987, they started Insta-Chain, the family business that became a huge part of their lives, with every member of the family filling pretty much every role at some point or another. John made it a point to show his Babe as much of this great world as possible, so the couple visited several countries, both for work and pleasure, including Spain, England, Sweden, Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, and more. The family’s fondest memories are of crisscrossing the country on countless road trips. Whether to the Four Corners, tradeshows in West Virginia, Atkinson family reunions in North Carolina, historical visits to DC, or endless trips back home for beach days, In-N-Out burgers, and the family favorite—Disneyland. And everywhere in between.

The kids were everything for Joanna, as she chauffeured them and their gaggle of friends to the University Mall, Trafalga, Hogle Zoo, The Wilk, and wherever else they asked to go. She loved and spoiled all four in their own way. When the children left the house, they were always sent off with “remember who you are and what you represent”. Every good thing we have done in life is because of the love and nurturing of our mom and dad. Period.

The real-life Mary Poppins, Joanna had everything you ever needed in her purse. From Chapstick to nail clippers to a pen and paper. And of course, a stick of gum. There was always gum, and she’d even take the wrapper from you, because that’s the kind of gal she was. Oh, and no one, and I mean no one, had more perfect handwriting than Jo. Her cursive looked like it was designed by the world’s most sophisticated computer.

Jo got her hair done by close friend Janelle every single week for 45 years! And speaking of loyalty, she’s been the world’s greatest Los Angeles Dodgers fan since she was a little girl. We even wondered if she was holding on to this life just long enough to see them win the World Series one more time—less than three weeks before she passed away. Maybe it’s a good thing they kept losing the past few seasons so we could have her with us a few more years.

In her later years, when she wasn’t with family or watching the Dodgers, Joanna enjoyed her time serving in the Missionary Training Center, and every Wednesday in the Provo Temple. She cherished the spirit in those two special places, and was touched by all those she worked with.

But as great as those church callings were for Jo, there was no greater call than that of a grandma. Her grandkids were her life, and she was their biggest cheerleader, making it a point to be at almost every piano recital, rock concert, dance competition, school performance, soccer, basketball, and baseball game, and wherever else their talents were on display.

Joanna left an indelible mark on everyone she met. She was everyone’s friend, everyone’s second mom. She didn’t have to try, she just was the greatest of all time. Every good thing we have done in life is because of the love and nurturing of our mom and dad. Period. It’s a known fact that heaven just got a lot cooler.

Joanna was preceded in death by her sweetheart John, her mom and dad, her brother, Jim, and sister, Susi. She is survived by her sister Toni Hancock; her four children John, Kim, Billy, and Robert; their spouses, Ana Atkinson, Alan Taylor, Sarah Atkinson, and Melissa Atkinson; along with her 12 grandchildren—Jessica (Jordan) Campbell, Sandra Atkinson, Elder Alex Atkinson, Kassi Taylor, Mallorie Taylor, Jake Taylor, Court Taylor, Penny Atkinson, Dexter Atkinson, Danny Atkinson, Elliot Atkinson, Charlie Atkinson, plus one more on the way; and one great-grand child, Grayson Campbell.

The family would like to give extra special thanks to Dr. Mike Pearce, Dr. Ian Mecham, and the nursing staff of the Utah Valley Hospital COVID ICU for the unending love during tireless hours at Joanna’s side. You have no idea how much we appreciate the love and dignity in which you cared for Joanna. God bless you in your efforts.

A private funeral will be held on Monday, November 30, 2020 at 11:00 am. Joanna will be buried at the Provo City Cemetery after a private graveside service after the funeral. There will be a public viewing held Saturday, November 28, from 6:00-8:00 pm at Nelson Family Mortuary in Provo. Due to the current pandemic, masks will be required, and only ten visitors will be allowed in the viewing at a time. In order to social distance more effectively, visitors please click on the RSVP button below to schedule a time.

For those who would like to be part of the funeral, it will be streamed via the following link: Funeral Services