Joyce Grogan Coulter

Joyce Carroll Grogan, beloved wife, mother and treasured friend, passed away February 27, 2017 in Tooele, Utah. Joyce was born in Bingham Canyon January 18, 1929 to Robert Andrew and Vearl (Donaldson) Grogan. She was the only child of that family until she was 16 years old and her sister, Nancy was born. Joyce adored her cute baby sister and they always shared that special bond that only sisters have. Joyce had two aunts, Amy Donaldson Grover Biggs and Tina Donaldson Grover, who were very dear to her. They became like sisters and maintained a close relationship all their lives.
Joyce graduated from Murray High School in 1947. She went on to graduate from LDS nursing school in 1950 and the University of Utah in 1951. Joyce married Bill Coulter on April 11, 1953 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple in 1967. Joyce loved being a wife and mother.
Joyce loved helping people and she loved being a nurse. She wanted to rescue, love, and serve.  That’s why she was such a good nurse. She did everything she could to help her patients be more comfortable. At the end of her life, when she didn’t recognize many of her loved ones, she still remembered that she was a registered nurse and would remind us often. For forty years she worked at hospitals in Salt Lake County, including the V.A. Hospital, Salt Lake County Hospital, St. Mark’s Hospital, University of Utah Hospital, and Cottonwood Hospital.
Joyce loved animals and had a soft spot for cats and dogs. Every stray cat and dog in the neighborhood knew where to go for a square meal. Joyce would get attached to all of our farm animals and would be saddened by their deaths.
Joyce loved to shop. She rarely bought expensive things, but she sure loved to find a good deal!  She would bring home all sorts of treasures. But sometimes she was the only person who recognized the worth of that particular treasure. She enjoyed buying things for the people she loved.  A gift from Joyce was always something you needed, even if you didn’t know you needed it until you received it.
Joyce surrounded herself with art and music. She loved to sing and play the piano. She loved painting. She loved flowers. She loved donating to charitable causes. She was proud of her pioneer ancestors and became an active member of Daughters of the Utah Pioneers in Riverton.
She always rooted for the underdog and hated bullies. She was an excellent role model for her children. Her one (possibly only) rule in the family was that we be kind to each other. She would not tolerate any backbiting or gossiping in her presence and quietly put a stop to it by saying something nice about the person.
She was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has always been faithful and prayerful. She worked for three years in the Jordan River Temple as an ordinance worker.
She is survived by her husband, Billy Raymond Coulter and six children: Debra Joy Coulter, Suzanne (Steven) Lancaster, Randall (Judy) Coulter, Bryan (Kim) Coulter, David (Shari) Coulter, Mark (Amy) Coulter; 25 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and one on the way; one sister, Nancy (Stephen) Reeder.
The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Cottage Glen and the staff at Harmony Hospice, especially Alissa and Jordan.
Service Information
Viewing March 2, 2017 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84121





Viewing March 3, 2017 at 10:00 - 10:45 am
3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84121





Funeral Service
March 3, 2017 at 11:00 am
3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84121