Joanne Park (Mooney) Finlayson
Joanne Park (Mooney) Finlayson
February 5 1935, - April 23, 2019
Joanne Park (Ross) Mooney Finlayson passed away April 23, 2019 valiantly fighting a lingering illness. Joanne was born February 5, 1935 to Beatrice (Hatch) and Hugh William Park in Provo, Utah. At age 7, her parents divorced and her mother, Betty, married Alma Ross whom Joanne loved so much that she took the last name of Ross throughout her adolescent years. The family lived in Provo, Teasdale, and Koosharem Utah where Alma taught school.
She graduated from Provo High where she met and married Ronald Arnold Mooney in 1953 and together they had 5 wonderful children (Dennis, Randy, Brian, Rick and Bettianne) whom she adored and were the joy of her life. She was dedicated to her family and to serving others. Ron and Joanne divorced after 17 years of marriage leaving Joanne to raise her young children.
She then enrolled at BYU where she completed her education by receiving a BA in Psychology and a MA in Special Education. She had a wonderful career teaching Special Education at Provo Canyon Boys School and High Schools in Palm Springs, CA, Spanish Fork and Provo, UT to children with disabilities and behavioral challenges. As a teacher, she helped many of her students graduate and she became a key part of their lives. She was loved by her students so much that some just called her “Grandma” and many often came back to visit her years after they left school. She loved working with the youth.
Joanne was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and continually dedicated herself to the Lord’s work by serving in a variety of callings and by attending the LDS temple. Her favorite callings include teaching the youth where she had a profound influence on their lives, and serving a mission at the Provo LDS Employment office where she used her talents to assist those in need of employment. In her later years she was called to teach the Gospel Doctrine class in her ward, a position she enjoyed and will always cherish. She enjoyed playing the piano, dancing, reading and giving JAZZ shirts to her grandchildren. However, her love of the gospel was always the focus of her life and the driving influence in everything she did.
After being single for thirty-five years, she met and married her eternal companion and best friend, John Taylor Finlayson in the San Diego CA Temple on February 4, 2006. They shared thirteen happy years together visiting with family and friends, camping, fishing (her first catch ever), and she was even coerced at times to drive an ATV. In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, Joanne loved and cherished her grandchildren and great grandchildren and always looked forward to seeing them.
She is survived by her loving husband, John; her brother Mike Ross, Provo, UT; her children: Randy (Susan) Mooney, Mapleton, UT; Brian (Teresa) Mooney, Springville, UT; Rick (Ruth) Mooney, St George, UT; Bettianne (Troy) Houghton, Springville, UT; and her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren. Joanne was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Marvin Park and Danny Ross; and her oldest son, Dennis Mooney. She will truly be missed by all who knew her.
A special thanks to the Provo Assisted Living Center staff and Hospice for their devoted and loving care of Joanne.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am, Saturday, May 4, 2019 at the North Park 2nd Ward, 1066 West 200 North, Provo, Utah where a viewing will be Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and Saturday prior to services from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Interment at the Provo City Cemetery.
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