Joan LaRee McAllister
October 28, 1940 — July 14, 2024
Mount Pleasant
Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, Joan LaRee Stevens McAllister passed away Friday, July 12, 2024 in Mount Pleasant, Utah at the age of 83. Joan was born October 28, 1940 in Cedar City, Utah, to Arnold Yardley Stevens and Claris Anna Mortenson.
Joan and her sisters, Beverly and Portia, were well known in the community. She often talked about how idyllic their childhood was growing up in Mount Pleasant. Joan attended North Sanpete High School where she was a drum majorette, cheerleader, a member of the student senate, and was always involved in social activities. She attended Snow College where she was homecoming queen, participated in many student organizations and graduated with an Associate of Science degree. Joan also graduated from USU with a degree in elementary and secondary education.
She married her high school sweetheart and eternal companion, John S. "Jack" McAllister on June 23, 1962 in the Manti temple. Together they enjoyed 58 wonderful years of marriage and five children. Jack and their children were her greatest joy. She supported them tirelessly and helped them to progress in many areas of life.
She taught school for 4 years, supporting her husband through law school and was a substitute teacher for 23 years. Many people in the valley remember her as their substitute teacher and knew she loved them. For over 30 years, Joan raised their children in Mount Pleasant while Jack worked in Salt Lake during the week. The weekends were reserved for ranch work. After voicing stern opposition (which was ignored) she became an integral part of the ranch, including cooking during shearing season on the west desert and safety flagging behind sheep herds. As empty nesters, Joan occasionally "persuaded" Jack to leave Sanpete County to enjoy some vacations.
Joan was the ultimate friend-maker, making and keeping many life-long friends. She reached out to neighbors and move-ins and absolutely loved to visit with them. She always had a smile and a positive outlook on life. She loved people and thrived when involved in the community, on committees, and in organizations. Service to others was Joan's calling in life. She continued her mother's love of calling and singing happy birthday to people. She was an excellent seamstress and sewed many of her children's clothes. Joan organized and taught these skills to many children through the 4-H program. She enjoyed compiling family history, being involved in the PTA, and working with the Snow College Golden Badgers. Joan loved the relationships formed through her membership in the DUP. She would cancel anything to attend DUP.
Joan loved music. She made music a focal point in her life and in her family's life. She extended that to the community by participating in choirs, leading singing, and organizing musical numbers. One of the highlights of her life was creating, organizing, and singing in the Easter Musical Offering. Her participation for almost three decades helped create a strong annual Mount Pleasant tradition. She enjoyed attending plays, musicals, and community events with her dear friends.
Joan had a strong and undeniable testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served faithfully in many callings, including Relief Society president, primary, Temple Ordinance worker, Boy Scouts, and her favorite, music leader.
Our family, and the community is better because of Joan's positive and sincere loving influence on the people around her.
Joan is survived by her children: Steve McAllister, Lori (Troy) Birch, Richard (Jenny) McAllister, David (Emily) McAllister, Kathryn (Jason) Carrillo; 14 grandchildren, and seven and 8/9ths great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters: Beverly (Doug) Jensen, and Portia (Jerry) Boggess. Preceded in death by her husband, Jack McAllister, and her parents, Arnold and Claris Stevens.
A viewing will be held Thursday, July 18, 2024 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm and Friday, July 19 from 9:00 - 10:30 am at the Mount Pleasant North Stake Center, 461 N. 300 W. Mount Pleasant, Utah. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am. Interment in the Mount Pleasant City Cemetery.
To watch the funeral services live, please click here. The live Zoom link will activate at 10:45 a.m. MST before the services.
Joan was my Visiting Teaching Companion for over 10 years and my very close friend. (Kathy)
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