Joan Walker Hilton
A tribute by her Granddaughter
for a text only version, click here

I have so many wonderful memories of my Grandma Joan.

I remember her love for puzzles. My son Trevor- he's two- has such a love for puzzles and I oh so want to share that with my Grandma! Perhaps she knows already, but I would love her to be here and see it.

I remember her love of life and laughter. My Grandma Joan is silly!!!! She found the humor in life, and loved a good joke. Remember this one? "Grandma, why is there only a G on the mountain?" "Because the P ran down the mountain."

She cheats when she plays games. Getting caught is the best part! I can remember her laughing and laughing about this. This is notorious in our family.

 proof in pictures that she didn't "quit" being silly...

as a mom

Grandma Joan was our connection to the lives of our cousins. When we went to visit Grandma, she'd listen to all our news and then pass on all the news of all our relatives. Once, my brother Bryce learned something about his own sister this way!

I cherish the few months that I got to live with Grandma and Grandpa. I lived in their house for one semester before I moved to Russia. (It's the only way I could have afforded school that semester.) I cherish those memories (although I regret making her worry) because that was a special time for me to get to know my grandparents and to see them day to day. What a treat!

I remember a birthday card she sent me once. I think it was while I was attending school in Idaho. She wrote at the end, "We love you much, much." It was the sweetest thing she could have written because I felt the sincerity of her words.

I remember her pleasure when she met Aaron - who would become my husband. We lived in Provo, and would see my grandparents from time to time. Well, one day, I decided I wanted to visit, and Aaron happily joined me. After a long, enjoyable visit, we stood up to go. "What?" exclaimed Grandma with a twinkle in her eye, "no announcement? I was hoping you'd come here to tell us you were getting married!" (After which Grandpa leaned in with a smile and told us, "you've got the grandparents approval.")

I remember Grandma's pleasure at the news that I was expecting - every time it happened. "You are doing the right thing," she would say, looking so pleased that it would make me feel like I was doing something right.

I love that she loves my kids. They're hers too, ya know, that's the way it is with families. When she was in the Provo hospital, I would go visit her with my Karina. Karina would sit on the bed by her and give her a hug. And Grandma loved her. You could tell by words and actions that Grandma Joan loves her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. She is full of love.

Her family is most important to her.