Joyce Bleakley Anderson Obituary Dec 22, 2009 - Allen Mortuaries

Mabel Joyce Bleakley Anderson, 90, passed away on December 22, 2009 in Logan, Utah. Joyce was born in Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) on December 19, 1919 to James and Jane Bleakley. Her father worked in the British Civil Service as a professor of math and physics. Joyce grew up on the island of Ceylon and moved to London in 1937 to attend university. She was granted degrees in Elocution and Pianoforte Performance from the Trinity College of Music in London. She was a gifted Indian dancer who was the first woman to perform the traditionally Kandian dances in the Ceylonese province of Kandi. During World War II, her Indian dance troupe performed in the West End theatre district of London. A convert to the LDS church at the age of 19, Joyce met Wendell Bryan Anderson at the London mission home. Joyce and Wendell were married April 3, 1944 in London where Wendell was serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps. After the war, the couple returned to Logan, Wendell’s hometown, where Joyce has lived for 62 years. Joyce was an accomplished pianist, a gifted artist, a published poet and a masterful story teller. She loved her roses and supported Wendell in his gladiolus. She loved literature and consumed current events and international news. She embraced the pioneer culture, learning to irrigate, can, sew and cook. Recognizing a need, Joyce started a Cub Scout Pack and recruited Wendell as the Cubmaster. She served as Den Mother for 10 years of Den #3. Her Cubs were the first Eagle Scouts of the Logan 13th Ward Troop 70. She also worked as a Brownie leader. An active member of the LDS church, Joyce worked in the Primary and Relief Society. She participated in local party politics. Despite all her personal accomplishments, her greatest gift was the guidance, teaching and love she provided her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her son Nels (Carla) of Soldotna, AK; Bryan of San Francisco; Kim (Sally) of Logan; Derky (Rita) of Sandy; Elizabeth Wooton (Kevin) of Annandale, VA; and Melanie Wadsworth (Ed) of Davis, CA. She is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Wendell. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009 in the Logan 13th Ward., 195 S. 100 E., Logan under the directions of Bishop Jeremy Hebdon. Family and friends may pay respects at the church prior to the services from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The family would like to thank Dr. Michael Stones, Lindaci Seamons, and Access Home Care for the wonderful care they provided for our mother. Internment will be in the Logan Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net .