Joyce Maxfield Long

On Wednesday, July 23, 2025, Joyce Maxfield Long passed peacefully from this life back into the arms of her sweetheart for a long-awaited reunion on the other side of the veil.

Joyce was born May 18, 1931, to Richard Elton and Edyth (Roberts) Maxfield in Salt Lake City, Utah. She and her twin sister, Janyce, were born minutes apart, with Joyce being the younger of the two. Joyce was blessed with two brothers—Richard and Maurice (the latter having passed at birth), and four sisters—Janyce, Maureen, Flora Lee, and Carol Ann. Joyce had a happy childhood and adored her parents and siblings.

Joyce had close relationships with all of her sisters, and they were a great support to her throughout her life. Joyce could often be found with one or more of them, always giggling about one thing or another. Some of her favorite stories to tell involved some type of adventure-gone-wrong that happened while she was with her sisters.

Joyce attended Provo High School where she met the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Crowther Long. He saw her singing in a musical and said he fell in love with her at first sight. After high school, Dick joined the United States Air Force and Joyce wrote to him faithfully every week. Dick came home on leave in June 1952 and proposed. They were married January 27, 1953, in the Manti, Utah LDS Temple and began a beautiful life together that spanned 68 years.

Dick and Joyce were blessed with seven children—Robert, David, Kenneth, Kathryn, James, Glen, and Lisa Ann, who they loved fiercely and supported always. Not only did Dick and Joyce build a beautiful, vibrant, full life with their family, they also built a home together in Orem, Utah where they lived for 42 years. They had a large garden there that they enjoyed cultivating together and Joyce worked tirelessly to preserve the food they grew.

Joyce always had a love of music and a talent for vocal performance. Joyce and Dick attended Brigham Young University together where they both studied Music. Although she left BYU one semester shy of graduation, she had many opportunities to grow and share this gift with others throughout her life. She was the president of the Federated Fine Arts Club and served on the board for the Utah Symphony Guild. She was asked to perform many times through the years and loved contributing her musical talents in any way she could.

Dick and Joyce loved to travel together. One of the highlights of her travel adventures was a cross-country road trip with Dick and her sister and brother-in-law, Maureen and Gene. Joyce traveled to every state in the U.S. except Hawaii and North Dakota.

Joyce had a deep love for the Lord and His gospel. Her unwavering faith and reliance on the power of prayer guided her entire life and was a great comfort to her through the most difficult and heartbreaking seasons of her life. The gospel of Jesus Christ brought her joy and peace and was the guiding force in her life. Joyce had a firm testimony of the power of prayer and attested that the many miracles she experienced in her life were the results of answered prayers.

Dick and Joyce served the Lord in the New York, New York North genealogy mission from October 1995-1996 in the Family History Library with Maureen and Gene. She had many wonderful experiences while in service to the Lord and was able to learn a great deal about family history work. Upon returning home, Dick and Joyce served as the family history specialists in their ward for many years.

Joyce was a beacon of love and service to her family and friends throughout her life. She was always quick with a hug or a kind word. She was generous with her time and talents and was a true example of Christlike love. We are blessed to have had 94 wonderful years with her, and we will be forever changed for having known her.

Joyce is survived by five of her children and a daughter-in-law: Robert (Gail) Long, Diane Harding Long Walker, Dr. Kenneth (Cathrie) Long, Kathryn (Dr. James) Burgess, James (Jolie) Long, and Lisa Ann (Jason) Almberg. She is also survived by 22 grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard Crowther Long, her two sons Dr. David Long and Glen Long, her parents, and all six of her siblings.

We would like to thank the staff at Covington Senior Living in Lehi, Utah, for their love and care towards Joyce in the final years of her life. She adored you all. We would also like to thank Keanna and Karly at Renew Hospice for your knowledge, kindness, and support in caring for Joyce and helping ensure a peaceful passing for her. We are endlessly grateful to you for the love and service you have provided.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Wheeler-Sundberg Funeral Home at 495 South State Street, Orem, Utah, 84058 at 11:00 AM. The funeral will be available to watch via live stream for those who are unable to attend the funeral service in person. A viewing will be held Saturday morning just prior to the service from 9:30-10:30 AM. Interment will be at the Orem Cemetery following the funeral services where she will be laid to rest next to her sweetheart, Dick. Flowers can be sent to Wheeler-Sundberg Funeral Home.

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