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In Memory

Joy Miles (Nieman) - Class of 1946

Marjorie Joy Miles Nieman passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, May 3, 2015, of natural causes due to age. Joy's only daughter, Kelly (Bunn) and Kelly's husband, Rick, had been by her side and watched over her as her health declined.

Joy was born April 21, 1928 to Frank W. Miles and Grace Hackbarth Miles in Montpelier, Idaho.

Joy married Elton Tedd Bunn on April 17, 1947. They were later divorced. Joy married Howard Willoughby on January 26, 1957. Howard passed away on April 10, 1964. Joy married Richard (Dick) Nieman on February 19, 1979. Dick passed away on August 6, 2001.

Joy was a businesswoman and built her insurance agency and took pride in providing personalized service to all of her insureds. She was also instrumental in the operations of Dick's construction company, RANCO. 

After she and Dick retired, it was difficult for Joy to stay at home. So, through Kelly who worked at Holy Cross Hospital, she became acquainted with Sister Olivia Marie Hutcheson, C.S.C. 

Sister Olivia asked Joy to become the manager of the gift shop at Holy Cross Hospital where Joy worked until age seventy. 

Joy loved her time in the shop, where she could put her consummate shopping skills to work and took great joy in helping customers, visitors, and hospital staff members who frequented the shop. 

Some of Joy's dearest friends today are the wonderful ladies who worked with her as volunteers in the gift shop. One of Joy's greatest gifts was her love of people and especially for her friends and family members.

Joy developed great respect and affection for the Sisters of the Holy Cross who served at the hospital and took pride in the wonderful health care provided at Holy Cross Hospital. 

Once the hospital was sold, Joy decided to retire and to help care for her Uncle Dean and Aunt June until their respective deaths. Soon after that, Dick became ill and Joy was able to care for him at home until he passed away.

Everyone who knew Joy knew how much she cherished her dogs, Buffie, Megan, and Blackie, who are waiting for her at the Rainbow Bridge and her kitty-cat, Molly Malone, who is lost without her at home.

Joy's true grandchildren were of the four-legged variety, but she loved each of them as much as any two-legged grandchild and did her best to spoil them.

Joy was a voracious reader and took pleasure in sharing her books and recounting with friends and family her favorite authors and novels.

Joy is survived by her brother, Jerry (Joan) Miles; her daughter, Kelly (Rick) Apgood; step-children, Dayle (Denny) McMullin, Carl (Becky) Willoughby, Robyn Roberts, Richard (Sherilyn) Nieman, Cheri (Kevin) McKusker, and Michael (Charla) Nieman; and step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A cryptside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2015 in the Garden of the Vines at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 South Highland Drive (1495 East).