Joan Bingham

Our beloved wife, mother, and Nana, Joan Bingham, passed away on April 1, 2021 from complications of dementia and a fall.  She was eighty-eight years old.

Joan was born in Rochdale, Lancashire, England on September 22, 1932 to Fred and Alice Waddington, and was the youngest of four daughters.  She grew up during World War II and told stories of taking cover during bombing raids and standing in line for bread with her parents.  Although food was scarce, love was abundant in their home.  Joan spoke often of the happy memories from her childhood – picnics at the seaside, and riding behind her father on a tandem bicycle, snuggled up close to him tucked under his rain slicker, with her mother on the tandem seat behind them.  Her eyes always shone as she recounted those memories.

Joan emigrated to the United States where she met and married the love of her life, Howard, on April 16, 1954 in the Salt Lake City Temple.  They were together almost sixty-seven years.  Their love is profound and remains steadfast, even as they are apart.  They took sweet, tender care of each other.  “I am yours and you are mine.”  Their eventual reunion will be glorious.

Joan and Howard had five children and raised them in Klamath Falls and Eugene, Oregon.  Joan loved the beauty of Oregon, especially the rhododendrons and roses that grew abundantly in the Willamette Valley.  She also had a love of music (and a beautiful soprano voice), which led her to volunteer with the Oregon Bach Festival for many years.  She treasured that time.

Joan and Howard moved to Cedar Hills, Utah in December 2005 and were immediately kindly embraced by their new community.  Joan enjoyed the connection and kindred spirits of their church and Bridgestone friends, and she was “Nana” to every child in the vicinity, regardless of blood relation.  Her dear, supportive, wonderful neighborhood friends were a shining light in her world.

Joan’s grandchildren and great grandchildren were the joys of her life.  She loved spending time with them, getting drawings from them in the mail, and talking to them on the phone.  Blowing bubbles, singing songs, and going to the Peppermint Place for treats were always high on the list of priorities.  She was a wonderful Nana.

Joan is well loved and will be missed dearly.  She is survived by her husband, Howard, and her children Michele Campbell, Corey Bingham (Sylvia), Janet Schaertl (Mike), Tamara Noyes, and Suzanne Bingham.  She is preceded in death by her parents, her three sisters, and her cherished son-in-law, Mike Campbell.

Joan requested that there be no services.  If you would like to honor her, in lieu of flowers, may we suggest that you blow bubbles and sing songs with the ones you love.  That will bring her tremendous joy as she watches from the Heavens.