Lillian Cowley Jolley

Lillian Jolley
Venice, Utah

    Lillian Cowley Jolley suffered a devastating fall and died as a result of her injuries on December 9, 2022 in Murray, surrounded by family and friends.  She was born April 2, 1935 to Rodney A. and Urania May Cowley in Venice, Utah.  She worked hard on the farm, raising animals with her six sisters and one brother.  She graduated from Richfield High School in 1953. 
    Lillian married Ted L. Jolley on April 21, 1953 in the Manti Temple.  She was the devoted mother of two children: Jannette and Jerald.  She also was a foster parent to many foster children including Sam Goodman, Jackie Jones, Everett Jones and Shelly Roberts.  Most of her adult career was spent working at Richfield High School in the Reading Lab and later as librarian. This seemed like the ideal choice since children and teens were always drawn to her enthusiastic and welcoming nature. She loved singing with her sisters, in the ward choir, and around the campfire.  She had a beautiful alto voice, and she enjoyed playing the guitar.  
    Lillian spent her life emulating the two great commandments: love God and love your neighbor.  She loved Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and she served in many callings in His restored church.  She was Primary president, Young Women's president, and Relief Society president.  She was a very faithful visiting teacher/minister to so many different women over the years.  Above all else, her greatest joy came from devoting her life to family.  There are countless times that she hosted sleep overs and dinners for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she truly delighted in whipping up waffles, homemade bread, cookies, pot roast, spaghetti, and chocolate cake. She carefully watched her calendar to make sure that she called family members and friends to sing “Happy Birthday” over the phone on those special days throughout the year. Love and sacrifice have been in her heart and mind every waking hour of her entire life.  She will truly be missed by so many. 
    She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted; her parents; four sisters: Catherine, Betha, Leora, and Phyllis; and her brother, Rodger Cowley.  
    She is survived by her children:, Jannette Jolley Yorgason (Alan) and Jerald Ted Jolley (Yamira).  She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; as well as her sisters: Betty Luke and Lena Nielsen. 
    Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 19, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in the Venice Ward Chapel.  Friends may call Sunday, from  6-7 p.m. at Magleby Mortuary in Richfield  and Monday at the ward chapel in Venice from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m..  Interment will be in the Richfield Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com