Elsie Joan Child Sarlo

JoAnn, Mom, Grandma, Grewat-grandma, Aunt JoAnn, Sister, Friend, but best known as our beloved Grandma Jo passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at age 93. It was the storybook ending to an epic and full life. The perfect Sunday afternoon surrounded by those she loved, her kids, grandkids and gaggle of great grandchildren enjoying dinner, talking and playing games and in a very fitting and marvelous manner, her last meal was Italian. Late that evening her heart being filled full simply called it a successful life, passing on to be with loved ones on the other side shortly after midnight on Monday the 19th.

Born June 24, 1929, in Ogden, Utah, to Roy and Ellen Child. She was the fourth of eight kids and grew up on a farm in Roy, Utah. Farm life was not only a cherished memory for her, but also at the soul of who she was. JoAnn learned the value of hard work on the farm, never backing down from a task or a chore. She enjoyed working at the Bank of Utah until retiring at the age of 73 after 36 years. The family farm also created strong bonds between her siblings, two brothers and five sisters, that have lasted beyond this lifetime.

She married her husband of 58 years, Eddie Sarlo, on October 16, 1946. They had three children, Brent, Bobby and Shelly. She loved Eddie’s family and their traditions. JoAnn was already an amazing cook having learned at the hand of her mother, Ellen. She quickly learned how to cook authentic Italian food from her mother-in-law, Josephine, whom she loved dearly. Cooking brought her family together. She would gather her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to roll meatballs and prepare lasagna. Italian Christmas dinner is an event not to be missed, a tradition that is dear to us all and will continue for generations to come.

JoAnn was fun and there are few things in this world as joyful as hearing her laugh at one of your jokes or stories from her life, or even at herself in her older age. The joy increased a hundredfold when she was with her daughter, Shelly or her sisters, and they all laughed themselves to tears. JoAnn was a shrewd Pinochle player and has taught all her grandkids and spouses to play. She loved to play cards with her neighborhood group of ladies, they would get together, have some food and laugh. When Covid put a halt to neighborhood cards, it was only a matter of months before JoAnn declared, “I made it through measles, mumps, polio and wars, “I’m playing cards” and cards were back on.

JoAnn was a prolific shopper and believed a new outfit was needed for any event. She loved gift giving and the joy and love it provided to others. During her working years there was Friday lunch that was as institutional as Christmas and Easter. One didn’t just skip a Friday lunch. Shelly, her daughters, and friends would often lunch at ZCMI Tiffin room and Ye Lions Den. Once she finally retired, Friday lunch became lunch any day. She was loved for her honest and unabashed way of saying it how it is, and was known and loved by many servers and restaurateurs over the years.

JoAnn belonged to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but more importantly had a fierce testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and His love. She was a strong woman who loved her children and grandchildren. She had a deep love and a special relationship with her son-in-law, Bob, who really was one of her own. JoAnn and Shelly were nearly inseparable after JoAnn retired, enjoying the many loves she had together with family.  She leaves an undeniable legacy of family first and of the deep and lasting love that comes from it. Her posterity is grateful for the traditions and standards she provided that have given each of us the deep and eternal connections we share today. JoAnn, Mom, Grandma Jo…We love you! There are no words to express the feelings and gratitude we have, our hearts are full!! Final hand, Hearts for the win.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Carolyn (Dick Child); her children, Shelly (Robert) Hill, Bobby Sarlo; and 16 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Sarlo; parents, Roy and Ellen Child; son, Brent; her eldest brother, Robert (Carole) Child; and sisters, Bernice Orrock, Jean (Don) Stocks, Lois (Ron) Cottle, Carolyn (Don) Pincock, Sharon (Warren) Kennedy; and younger, brother, Dick Child.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 26, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Burch Creek 3rd Ward, 5161 South 1300 East, South Ogden. Friends may visit with family on Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. and Monday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the church. She will be laid to rest at Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.