Joy Winward Hadley

February 25, 1933 - March 22, 2021

Joy Winward Hadley, age 88, passed away March 22, 2021 from complications following a stroke. She died at home peacefully, surrounded by her family. Joy was born February 25, 1933 in Preston, Idaho at her aunt’s home. She was the youngest of seven children. Growing up on the farm in Clifton, Idaho, she had dogs, sheep, cats, rabbits, birds, and a pony. She always loved animals and had numerous pets throughout her life. Joy graduated from Brigham Young University with honors in 1955. She was a lifelong learner and earned additional college credits throughout her career. After graduating, Joy began her career in teaching. Joy taught kindergarten and first grade at thirteen schools during her long career. With her family, Joy moved overseas to Saudi Arabia and taught at Dharan and Abqaiq Academies. She also trained future teachers at the BYU Laboratory School. Joy was passionate about making sure that children could read, even specializing in teaching reading to children with difficulties. She was nominated for the Golden Apple award in 1997. Family was very important to Joy. She had close relationships with her brothers and sisters, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Joy and Darrell adopted five children, two of them from Costa Rica. She loved her children and grandchildren fiercely and would do anything for them. Joy was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in several positions in her church, including Relief Society president and Primary president. After retiring, Joy and her husband Darrell served two missions for the Church, one in Albuquerque, New Mexico and one in Akron, Ohio. She enjoyed traveling with her family, and was able to travel the world, from Europe and Central America, to the Middle and Far East and Oceania. She counted many friends throughout the world that she made while living abroad. Reflecting upon her life, Joy said, “I’ve had a happy, great life - travel, education, marriage, family. I want my funeral to be the happiest one ever.” She was preceded in death by her parents Bryan Hunsaker Winward and Elsie May (Farmer) and six siblings. She is survived by her husband, Darrell Hadley, her five children - Michael (Monique), Tod (Heather), Melia, Mia, Marcia (Dona) - 15 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 27, 2021 at the Provo Peak 7th Ward Chapel, 502 East 200 North, Provo, Utah. Friends may call from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to services. A private interment will be conducted at Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bergmortuary.com. Because of Covid restrictions, in-person attendance may be limited. You must wear masks and follow social distancing protocols. The service will also be broadcast at https://www.gotomeet.me/TodHadley/joy-winward-hadley-funeral. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Alpine School District’s STARS Summer Reading Program at bit.ly/starsreading.