Joan Mary McCreedy Burrell

Our beloved Joan peacefully passed away on the evening of July 11th, 2022 in St. George, Utah.  Joan was born in Belfast and raised in Portadown, Ireland to Ruth McMahon, then raised by Israel & Cissy McCreedy, & later by her grandparents John & Mary Reilly McMahon on Lisnisky Lane. At 15, she left home to train as a nurse’s aid. She then joined the LDS Church as she found a great sense of community there (not to mention the handsome missionaries in their suits). That is where she first met Elder Lester Ray Burrell which is where he served his Irish mission. She always dreamt of coming to America and she did by way of nannying for a family in Pittsburgh for 3 years. She later reconnected with Lester & they married on December 17, 1965 in Salt Lake City, Utah. They had 5 beautiful children in their 17 years together. Joan lived in Salt Lake City for 45 years raising her 5 children with the help of her community, it takes a village. She went back to school to finish her education all the while working 3 jobs to keep stability in her children's lives. Joan always made the best of her situation and found jobs that brought fun opportunities…her security job had her meeting celebrities and athletes; she worked for Continental Airlines and traveled the world along with being a supervisor at the Utah State Fair & at the 13th Floor Restaurant & Night Club. She loved dancing from age 15 until 78. She loved her friends dearly and had many from all over the world, her neighborhood & Hibernian Society Irish group. She loved working out with her ladies at Curves gym every week. Walking or biking in her neighborhood but never getting too far as she would always stop to say hi to every neighbor she passed, especially if they had a dog.  She loved animals~ all her cats, our two dogs, rabbits & the birds in her yard. She lived, loved and experienced life to the fullest!  Joan, we hope that you lived as long as you wanted and never wanted as long as you lived!  We love you.

See 2 Photos

She is survived by her children: Austin (Leilani) Burrell. (Rocky) Burrell, Lorna (Mike) Baer, Stephaney (Asher) Avital, Bridget Burrell, Erin Burrell (Wes Whitton). Grandchildren: Riley (Drake)Corrigan, Jory Burrell, Jocelyn & Mason Baer, Tamir, Maya & Ella Avital

Her Siblings: Michael Jones, Alan Jones, Arlene Martin, Barry Jones, Valerie Stubbings, Victoria Valgren, Ruthanne Jones. Proceeded in death by her sister Judith Jones & mother Ruth McMahon Jones. In leu of flowers please donate to the Humane Society of Utah, 4242 South 300 West, Murray, Utah  84107: https://www.utahhumane.org/

Services at Memorial Lakeview

Services at Memorial Lakeview

Friday, July 22nd, 2022

11:00 am-1:00pm

1640 E. Lakeview Drive

Bountiful, Utah