Joy Ann Utter

Joy Ann Utter was born on March 15, 1938, in Crowley, Louisiana, the daughter of Gabriel and Edmay Aguillard. She was raised in Lafayette, Louisianna, in the heart of Cajun country, and was married to Gordon Utter by the Reverend Perry Sanders at First Baptist Church of Lafayette, on June 15, 1968. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Melissa and Ted. Joy entered her heavenly home on January 25, 2011. She was preceded in death by her sister Glenda Daigle, and is survived by her husband Gordon, her daughter Melissa Utter of Mountain View, California, her son Ted Utter of Denver and her brother Bob Aguillard of Houston, Texas. Joy had a strong faith in the Lord from her childhood. She was raised a Southern Baptist and joined the Lutheran Church after marrying Gordon. When the family moved to Denver in March 1977, they became members of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. Prior to moving to Denver, Joy served as church secretary at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lafayette, Louisiana. Joy loved to serve in hospitality-related functions at Shepherd, including the Priscilla Circle, and was especially recognized for her efforts to integrate new members into the congregational body. Joy completed a 2-year business and secretarial education at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now LSU) in Lafayette. She worked about ten years as a legal secretary in Lafayette, where she met Gordon. Upon having children, she became a stay at home mom and raised her children in both Lafayette and Denver. Joy's main devotion was loving and nurturing her family, and she created a lovely home environment. She was an outstanding and creative cook (amazing Cajun food!) and home decorator. She always had an eye for fashion, loved garage sales (or any sale) and could scout out bargains with the best of them. She was a people person to the core, delighting in opening her home to the church and community to host various events. She loved the mountains, enjoying hiking and skiing with her family. Prior to moving to Colorado, she also frequently joined Gordon in fishing expeditions in Louisiana. Her family is comforted to know that she is in her Heavenly Father's arms. She will be missed more than words can express, but we will forever be blessed by all of the love and care she poured into our lives. Joy brought so very much joy into this world! Memorial Service will be held Sunday, January 30, 2011 at 3:00 P.M. at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 7691 South University Boulevard, Centennial, Colorado 80122. Memorial donations are being suggested in Joy's name to the American Cancer Society, 2255 South Oneida Street, Denver, Colorado 80224; or to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 7691 South University Boulevard, Centennial, Colorado 80122. Please share your memories of Joy and condolences with her family by selecting the ""sign guestbook"" button below.