Joyce Ann Spaulding

Joyce Ann Spaulding flew cross-country with hams tucked into her luggage and mailed frozen casseroles that arrived at their destination perfectly thawed, ready to go in the oven. More on that later. She made one final delivery on Jan. 6, 2025, when she passed away surrounded by many loved ones.

Long before mastering the art of air and mail food delivery, she was born Joyce Ann Johnson on Sept. 15, 1932, to Kyle and Elsie Johnson in Roberts, Idaho.Born on a small farm and proud of her Western roots, Joyce was comfortable around a horse and wagon as she was sitting at grand piano belting out her favorite songs. She was a meticulous historian who’d often share stories of the Old West and her family history with anyone who’d listen. While she lived nearly her entire life in Idaho, Joyce’s adventures took her across the globe many times, from flights on the Conchord jet to boat trips across the Panama Canal.

Always fiercely independent and forever with a song on her lips, Joyce had three great passions in life - caring for and supporting her loved ones; her beloved cabin in Ketchum, Idaho; and the arts, especially music. She fought hard for everything she had and even harder for those she loved. Which brings us back to those hams and casseroles. Joyce was a generous and spirited caregiver to her four children, many grandchildren and great grandchildren, her three sisters – with each of whom she shared a deep bond – and many more loved ones. She always made sure they had what they needed, generously shared what she had, helped them when they were down and ensured nobody was left hungry, even if they lived hundreds of miles away (thus the airborne food deliveries).

She’d sew costumes for her family and friends, literally give the shirt off of her back to help (it happened more than once) and go to incredible lengths to help her loved ones or complete important work.

Joyce shared a special connection to the small ski town of Ketchum and the wonderful Sun Valley Ski Resort. She lived and worked there as a waitress as a young woman and fell in love with everything the community had to offer. She met her first husband, Larry Jones, there; spent decades visiting with her second husband, Robert Spaulding; and made sure that her four children spent their lives developing the same love and appreciation for the community. Joyce eventually acquired what would be one of her family’s greatest treasures - a rustic A-frame cabin in the middle of town that has been a place of love, laughter and celebration for her family for more than 50 years. Ketchum was her happy place.

Joyce was an avid lover of the fine arts. She was an accomplished self-taught pianist who could often be found at home or at a local club playing her favorite songs. She loved it all - especially jazz, pop standards, classical, musicals and showtunes. As a result, her entire family knows the lyrics to every song from The Sound of Music. 

Her family, friends and all who loved her will forever miss the music and joy that she brought to our lives. But we’ll all smile too, knowing that our lives are better for having had her in them. 

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Larry Jones; her second husband, Robert Spaulding. She is survived by her three sisters Peggy (Bob) Eden, Vicki (Blaine) Lindroth, and Terrie (Duane) Coffey; four children Kathleen (Craige) Whiteley; Teresa (Tom) Jones, Jane (Ed) Klosterman Coulter and Bill (Marina) Spaulding; her grandchildren Zach Benoit, Kastina Benoit, Dani Grossman, Carrie Grossman, Andrew Klosterman and Christine Klosterman; great-grandchildren Quinn, Simon, Booker, Hazel, Nova, Winslow and Bowie; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. We all love her very much and know that, if we ever hear something that sounds like The Sound of Music just beyond the edge of hearing, it’s Joyce saying hi.

Special thanks to the kind, compassionate staff at St. Luke’s Meridian Medical Center for your care of our beloved Joyce in her final days.

Services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at First United Methodist Church, 200 N 15th Ave., in Pocatello, Idaho, at 11am. There will be a viewing on Friday Jan. 17 from 3-5pm at Manning-Wheatley Funeral Home and also on Saturday 1 hr prior to services at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the music or arts charity of your choice in Joyce’s honor.