Joan Donaldson Quinn

Joan Donaldson Quinn (96) of North Salt Lake passed away January 20, 2026 at home surrounded by her family. Joan was born on November 18, 1929 in Ogden, Utah, into a large, close-knit family shaped by faith, hard work, resilience and love. She was the sixth of ten children born to John Kissell and Mary Elizabeth Doxey Donaldson. She also grew up alongside seven older half-siblings from her father’s first marriage which made family life full and lively.

Her childhood was largely spent on a farm during the Great Depression. Life on the farm required constant effort — tending animals, working the garden and sharing household chores—but it also fostered strong family bonds, self-reliance and a deep appreciation for simple blessings. Though resources were limited, her parents provided a loving, disciplined home grounded in service, integrity and devotion to one another. These formative experiences instilled values that guided Joan throughout her life and remained central to her character.

Joan graduated from Ogden High School in 1948 and earned a Registered Nurse Diploma from The Thomas D. Dee School of Nursing in 1951. On August 24, 1951, Joan married Edward Barney Quinn in the Salt Lake Temple. Ed was a graduate of West Point and had newly returned from serving in the Korean War. During the next nine years, Ed’s Army assignments moved the family to Fort Knox (KY), Camp Carson(CO), Frankfurt Arsenal (PA) and Purdue University where Ed pursued graduate work. In 1960, Ed resigned from the Army and the family moved to Utah.

Their marriage was a devoted partnership grounded in faith, mutual respect and shared purpose. Joan and Ed were the parents of twelve children — nine boys and three girls. Family life was central to Joan’s identity and she devoted herself fully to her roles as wife and mother, then later grandmother and great-grandmother. She found delight in holding a baby or snuggling up with a child to read them a story. Their home was a place of love, belief and service. They taught their children the value of hard work and education alongside commitment to God, Church, Country and one another. Joan found her greatest joy in her family, taking deep pride in their lives and accomplishments. At the time of her passing, Joan was blessed with 67 grandchildren and 124 great-grandchildren.

Ed and Joan enjoyed outdoor activities with their family–camping, fishing, boating, swimming, waterskiing and snow skiing. They made memorable trips to special locations including Israel, Europe, England, Korea, South Africa and the Caribbean and hosted memorable family reunions in Hawaii, the Poconos, Bear Lake, Virginia Beach, Zions National Park and Jackson Hole. 

In addition to raising her family, Joan worked for 29 years as a labor and delivery nurse at Lakeview Hospital, providing skilled, compassionate care to mothers and their newborns. She taught parenting and prenatal education courses, helping expectant parents prepare for parenthood and approach childbirth with confidence and understanding.

Joan served in many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including teaching in and leading the Primary, Young Women’s and Relief Society organizations. She served as a ward Relief Society President and a stake Primary President. Joan cherished the opportunity to serve as a temple worker in the Bountiful Temple and as a guide in the Church Administration Building. Complementing her own legacy of church service, 89 missions have been served by her family members for the Church.

As a gifted seamstress, Joan made many pieces of clothing and quilts for her family along with doing beautiful needlepoint and crocheted work. Joan was also a talented chef and hostess — her home was a gathering place for parties, summer barbecues, family celebrations and many, many meals. She and Ed loved decorating their home for the holidays, filling vases with flowers from their garden, and serving their loved ones delicious food.

Joan provided countless hours of service to her community. She truly relished the opportunity to prepare meals for neighbors and loved sharing holiday treats like braided bread rings and hand-dipped chocolates with friends. She frequently served neighbors with her nursing skills to help them in times of need.

Joan is survived by her twelve children, Christine Q. Christensen (Clayton), Stephen D.Quinn (Cydney), Reed D. Quinn (Eileen), Robin Q. Guynn (Randall), Edward Mark Quinn (Elaine), Timothy D. Quinn (Becky), Michael D. Quinn (Kathleen), Craig D. Quinn (Laura), Jeffrey D. Quinn (Laurie), Ted D. Quinn (Cara), Jennifer Q. Davis (James) and Todd D. Quinn (Heidi); and her siblings, Helen D. Bingham, Paul D. Donaldson, Barbara D. Nelson and Carol D. Checketts; and in-laws Martha Ann C. Donaldson and Keith Checketts. Patricia Q. Jarvis, Thomas A. Quinn, Carlos B. Quinn, Elizabeth Q. Stewart, Mary Anne Q. Wood and John B. Quinn. Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Edward B. Quinn; her parents, John and Mary Donaldson; her siblings, Ruth D. Brown, David M. Donaldson, Harold D. Donaldson, Jay K. Donaldson; her son-in-law, Clayton Christensen; her daughter-in-law, Laura Quinn; a grandson, Alexander Davis; and her great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Grace Thompson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 31, 2026 at the LDS Chapel, 900 Eaglepointe Drive in North Salt Lake, where friends are invited to visit the family January 30 from 6:00-8:00 pm or prior to the January 31 service from 10-10:45 am. Interment will be at Lakeview Memorial Park Cemetery, 1640 East Lakeview Dr., Bountiful, UT.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Edward and Joan Quinn Endowed Fund in Family Studies or the Edward B. or the Joan D. Quinn Scholarship Fund in Nursing at Brigham Young University (Quinn Endowed Funds at BYU).