Last summer the Aunts & Uncles celebrated JoAnn and Earle’s 50th Wedding Anniversary with a wonderful meal, program, and reminiscing in Lon & Steph’s lovely home and yard. Our memories of that courtship and all that has followed since has sometimes been amusing, sometimes quite serious, and always very dear to us. The following are just some of the memories recorded that evening.
KAY: We have always been impressed with your love and sacrifice for your children. You were so proud of all their accomplishments. They and gospel living came first before anything else. Now that love and devotion have included your grandchildren, as well. Your Sunday get-togethers, baby sitting, and well-planned, fun trips make it evident.
Your support of each other in your jobs has always been impressive, even though, at times, you may have wished the other to be employed in something else. JoAnn was always so proud to talk about Earle’s 6th grade musicals and his fairness as a teacher and Earle was always so proud to boast about JoAnn’s expertise and leadership at Motorola and Comp Health.
To bring in extra money, you took on a paper route, and then another, and another....and became area managers. Those early mornings went on for years. I think we were all amazed at your hard work ethic and your stick-to-it-iveness.
Your perfectionistic natures in many things have been impressive. Your home and gardens have always been show-places; they are always neat, clean, organized, and beautiful. It seems that every year you are involved in a remodeling or painting project. You know how to put on a party or get-together so that things flow. Your yummy treats and welcoming skills make everyone glad to attend. Many of our Hinckley events have been upgraded because of your direct or indirect influence.
Despite your differences, you complement each other. Earle, your piano playing and singing have always delighted JoAnn and the whole family. Those musical talents have taken root in your children. Your avid tennis playing has kept you healthy, active, and well-balanced. Your special diet (I’ll never forget the restaurant waiters in Branson trying to accommodate you and the special containers of food on other family trips) has kept you alive, healthy, and sooo slim. JoAnn, your executive, organizational, cooking and decorating skills have brought balance to your relationship and family. JoAnn, you still love all kinds of food and chocolate is high on your list. It’s great how you just accept each other’s preferences and move on. You both love and live the gospel. You have fulfilled many wonderful church callings. You “get” what really matters.
Your years working on genealogy, and working in the temple, and your decision to fulfill a mission have inspired all of us. Your passion as you reported your mission experiences will never be forgotten. Talk about team work!
We can especially relate to your love of traveling together to beautiful and historic sites.
The way you both treat other people is so praiseworthy. Every time I call your home, I am greeted with a cheerful voice. Every time the family gets together, you are so happy to see us, and seem so genuinely interested in our lives.
Happy 50th Anniversary!
LOUISE: All of my siblings are and have been my favorites for different reasons. JoAnn was my favorite for teaching me to march and forcing me to practice every day when I was about 9 years old, until I was chosen mascot for West High’s pep club. I have so many happy memories associated with that time in my life; teaching/assisting me in making a pink dress with a full skirt for myself; encouraging me in my art and dieting; and so much more! AND she was so pretty. No wonder so many young men vied for her hand.
When JoAnn & Earle were dating it was so romantic. Kay and I used to watch them from our bedroom door as they sat close together on the sofa. And when Earle wrote and sang “JoAnn” I was completely won over!
All I remember about their wedding day 50 years ago, was the pretty watermelon colored dress, hair topper and shoes I got to wear in the reception line. Seems like it was my first time to wear nylons and I felt so grown up and so elegant.
Not too long after their wedding they were living in a little apartment some where in SLC – probably by the “U”, and JoAnn invited me over for lunch. We made pizza from scratch. I can still remember the taste of the pepperoni she sliced for us to snack on while the pizza was baking.
JoAnn and Earle were living in Arizona when mom and dad presided over the The Alaskan Canadian Mission, and lived in Vancouver BC. Susan & I were attending BYU and couldn’t get up to Vancouver for Thanksgiving. We did however find a “harrowing” ride to and from Arizona and were grateful for JoAnn and Earle’s hospitality and so impressed with their cute and talented kids.
After Cros and I married, I began to be aware of certain characteristics possessed by JoAnn and Earle that impressed me greatly and had a positive influence in our marriage.........although we still have a long ways to go.....specifically: JoAnn’s immaculate and perfectly decorated home, her exceptional creativity and ability to throw a great party; Earle’s music, his smile and his absolute patience. Have you ever known Earle to “lose it”? And they both have this uncanny ability to make everyone feel important and talented. We’re still trying to follow their example in even more important ways: The way they have dealt with the challenges of life, while remaining united as a family and positive in their outlook, and serving faithfully in the church. I think they have it all and I still want to be like JoAnn when I grow up.
HAROLD: I bought a car in the mission field and had to drive it home. I drove straight through to Tempe Arizona, and was so thrilled to have some place to sleep and rest. For 2 years you’re with someone the whole time and then for a day and half I was alone in the car and it was just good to be with someone again, someone that you knew liked you and cared for you. It was great to have them there and so willing to receive me for a couple of days.
The thing that always impressed me was yours and Earle’s ability to keep your house nice, especially at Christmas time. I look at you, and Lon & Steph, and what you do with your homes at Christmas time and think that’s what Dad wanted. An absolutely beautiful place at Christmas time. It takes a lot of work to do that.
A few years ago when Jessie and Don started having some problems, who took over the family? Naturally, comfortably, and without any fanfare, JoAnn with Earle’s assistance, took over as the “matriarch” of our family. With mother gone and Jessie somewhat incapacitated, JoAnn and Earle comfortably guided this family very effectively. That’s the way it should be in the family and in the Church.
I have to say I have always appreciated the two personalities. Earle, I’m saying this with all love, you are the most laid back person I know. JoAnn recognized that pretty early, and JoAnn is a take control kind of person. I have always appreciated JoAnn’s willingness to just step right to the plate at any time there was a need, for your own family, or this family, or whatever was needed in the church or community or whatever. Admired your gumption and up and at ‘em attitude. There’s nothing you’re afraid to go after. (Earle interjected here that on their mission she was the best companion he could have had because he didn’t have to say hardly anything.)
LON: I have so many good memories of JoAnn and Earle, but I won’t go into all of them.......so many have already been mentioned. JoAnn was just younger and Jessie was just older than me all through school. And they wondered how Jessie and I could have come from the same family as she got such good grades and I didn’t. Then JoAnn comes along and everyone knew JoAnn because she was one of the cutest girls at West High. It was fun to be known by my two sisters that I was sandwiched between in High School. It did however put a little pressure on me.
I have so admired the way that you and Earle have dealt with disappointments and trials, never giving up but moving forward with absolute faith and optimism.
(Stephanie interjected here that she still remembers the tune of the song Earle composed for JoAnn, and hummed it for us. Earle said “What a memory!” Stephanie said she was so impressed at the wedding luncheon when Earle sang it and she so wanted to be a member of this family.)
SUSAN: One of the first times I ever met Earle was when he was singing in a quartet at ZCMI during the Christmas season – dressed up like an elf! I was very impressed that he was ‘secure enough in his manhood’ to not let the elf costume bother him.
JoAnn has always been an amazing woman to me. It has always been an honor for me to be identified as her sister. I remember one time doing a long term sub at her place of employment, CompHealth. I worked there for about six weeks and never ceased to be amazed at how productive and efficient JoAnn was. Even in that high stress environment, she always remained upbeat and cheerful. She could run circles around everyone there. Everyone seemed to recognized her exceptional abilities and greatly respected her. I just kind of strutted around the office feeling very important to be related to her.
My early remembrances of JoAnn are during her high school and college years. She was a fascinating study of a young woman’s school and dating activities. It was hard to keep up with everything she did. As Mother described it; JoAnn had a ‘steady stream’ of boys at her doorstep. I heartily agree. I’ve probably opened more doors for JoAnn’s boyfriends than I have any other doors since. I remember many years after I was married and living in Bountiful, our bishop, out of the ‘clear-blue’, asked me if I was JoAnn’s sister. When I said I was, he stated that he had dated her at one time. There was a touch of wistfulness in his voice. I mentioned this to JoAnn but she didn’t remember him. Of course, how could she remember just one of dozens of boys she had dated during that time. So, when JoAnn became ‘sweet’ on Earle, not only did we like him better than any of the others, we hoped that maybe things would calm down around our house. And they did.
About the only thing I remember of the Peirce wedding was the beautiful song Earle wrote for JoAnn and sang to her. It was a touching moment and truly romantic. I’ve yearned to hear him sing that song to her again ever since.
JoAnn and Earle are a perfectly balanced couple; Earle calm and laid back, while JoAnn is more ‘disposed to action’ and always on the go. Their wonderful personalities truly blend which create a powerful presence wherever they are.
Both JoAnn and Earle have very engaging smiles that create warmth and trust. People are immediately drawn to them.
This couple is a dynamic duo. When they put their minds to something, it always gets done to it’s maximum best. It’s all in the details – and every detail is examined carefully, honed, and executed perfectly.
If we were to continue the list of things we appreciate about JoAnn and Earle, the list would be long. But among the top most things that come to mind are: their love and respect for each other, their generosity, their ability to entertain so graciously, their beautiful home and gardens, their infectious positive attitude, and their incredible work ethic.
Thank you, JoAnn and Earle, for your wonderful example of church service. Your enthusiasm and dedication to your mission was particularly inspiring and motivating. Thank you, JoAnn, for your whimsical, joyful approach to life. Thanks for those long, beautiful fingers that were so nimble that none of us could keep up with you during those long collating sessions. Thank you, Earle, for your strong, clear voice as one of our Singing Uncles. Thank you for your dedication to diet and exercise. You are truly amazing. Finally, to both of you; thanks for arranging for us to see the Chain Saw Juggler. We love you.
JEAN: With JoAnn being the sister just older than me, there were many things I remember looking up to her for as I was growing up over the years. It just seemed like JoAnn was good at everything she tried. She didn’t have to take lessons. She didn’t have to practice, she was just automatically a natural, and I was just the opposite. I used to think, how come it comes so easily to her? She hated going to our swimming lessons, but swam without any effort at all; while I loved going to swimming lessons and couldn’t swim a lick. And she was that way with everything she tried. She was amazing at typing, and right from the beginning was the fastest one in every class. We used to play house a lot together and we had our imaginary boyfriends, and when JoAnn chose “Bill” for her imaginary boyfriend he was automatically the one I wanted.
JoAnn is an amazing person and she has made a huge difference in this family with the way she does plan things in detail and so beautifully and artistically.
I remember working with JoAnn at the hospital and how everybody loved her and how amazing she was. All the interns were always in her office. There was one in particular that you used to invite over for lunch quite often.
And it’s true Earle, she could have had any body she wanted, but she chose YOU......and that says A LOT about you, and how amazing you are for her to see the wonderful person that you are and wanting to choose you as her eternal companion. And I’ve admired you because I think you have been so patient and so supportive with all of JoAnn’s projects by being right there by her side. It’s just wonderful.
And we remember coming to your home when you were in Arizona too. We got in a sand storm and had never been through an experience like that.
JESSIE: Sitting here with you tonight...........haven’t we gone through some real life experiences these last few years. Some of you are coming to see me on a regular basis. It seems like just yesterday we were taking mother to appointments. Time really flies. We’ve had some very spiritual experiences and I feel very close to our parents. I don’t know where there’s a more wonderful family on earth. Please keep coming to visit me, all of you. (JoAnn interjected “Every time we go to visit Jessie we come away lifted up.”)
I happened to be at the folks’ home the day that Earle got the bad news about his heart. He sat down at the kitchen table, obviously in a little bit of shock I think, and he told me what was wrong. I said well what can I fix you for lunch. He said “Well, I’m starting right now on a diet for the rest of my life.” And he made that decision right there. I have never heard him complain. How many years has that been Earle? Earle said “Sixteen!” I remember that, just the fact that he made up his mind immediately what was the right thing to do and he did it. I firmly believe that he’s here today because of that.
I guess JoAnn and I were very close because we were the two oldest. We shared a bedroom and that was a major experience. To be honest with you I’ve never seen anything like it. She’d bawl me out regularly because I’d do such and such. But it was a wonderful time. Wonderful. Wonderful. You’re a wonderful couple just to sit and look at. And Earle, what a beautiful couple.
I do love you JoAnn & Earle, and congratulations on a major, major accomplishment. It’s interesting, I told one of my friends at the center where we were going to night and why. She asked how long you have been married? When I said 50 years, she looked at me like “Nobody stays together that long!” She was stunned. So I think we have a good corner on something eternal and wonderful. You’re a wonderful example.
Anyway, it’s late. It’s time now to close this meeting.
Harold asked Jess and Don how many years for the two of them? She said 52. Talk about wonderful!
Following these tributes Earle sang his song to JoAnn. The one he composed for her before they were married and has sung to her every year on their anniversary. JoAnn told us that one year they were on a bus tour on their anniversary and Earle went up to the front of the bus and borrowed the microphone from the driver and sang to JoAnn so everyone could hear. I’ll bet there wasn’t a dry eye on the bus.
JOANN'S SONG by Earle Peirce
In slumber I dream of JoAnn. Her beautiful smile, m-m-m she’s gentle.
In crowds I see only JoAnn. The touch of her hair, she’s sweet -- so fair.
Her eyes sparkle, blue like the sea. And to think she belongs to me!
Her soft voice, her light touch, her sweet ways mean so much.
I’ll love you forever, JoAnn.
M-m-m-m-m-m-m JoAnn. Her beautiful smile, m-m-m she’s gentle.
M-m-m-m-m-m-m JoAnn. The touch of her hair, she’s sweet -- so fair.
Her eyes sparkle, blue like the sea. And to think she belongs to me!
But if she should leave me, my heartache would grieve me!
I’ll love you forever, JoAnn.
And now, after years have gone by. She still has her smile, m-m-m still gentle.
Her service to family and I, has been one of caring, of serving, and sharing.
She’s older, and wiser, you see. But she still is the same to me.
Her soft voice, her light touch, her sweet ways mean so much.
