Jo Ann Arvella Jarman Noorda

Jo Ann passed away at home and in peace August 14, 2014. Born October 29, 1934 to Inez Arvella Goodmansen and Joseph Heber Jarman. Raised by stepfather, Tony Von Harten after Joseph's death. JoAnn married LaMar Noorda in 1954. Jo Ann and LaMar later divorced, but remained friends. Together they had eight beautiful children.

Jo Ann was independent, strong and tenacious. Every goal she set for herself she achieved. At age 19 she was the youngest Relief Society president in San Jose, California, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. She served as the president of Toastmistress in the 1970s. She was the owner of Western Travel and Cruises and ran that company profitably for 34 years until her retirement in 2011. In 2003 Utah Business Magazine included her as one of the 30 risk-taking Women to Watch. She was a world traveler filling up at least three passports during her lifetime. She visited Russia, India, Africa, Ecuador, Ireland, Italy, Europe, Asia and her beloved countrysides of England. Jo Ann was a skilled seamstress, sewing beautiful dresses for her young daughters and teaching sewing to young women in the 4-H program in the 1960s.

Jo Ann is survived by her eight children Jan (Peter) Stambro, Kim (Reed) Aitken, Cathy Robbins, LaMar (Elise) Noorda, Tina (Tom) Tuley, Al (Nattilee) Noorda, Nancy (Tom) Philipp, Chris (Jodie) Noorda. She was grandmother to 27 children and great-grandmother to 18 children. Also survived by sister Toni Rae Hart.

She is preceded in death by her mother Inez; father Joseph; stepfather Tony; brothers Richard, Joseph, and David; and sister Janet.

Celebration of life will be Sunday, August 17th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, where complimentary valet parking will be provided on the north side of the building. A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 18th at 11:00 AM also at Starks Funeral Parlor, with a viewing one hour prior. Interment to follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 1342 East 500 South, Salt Lake City.

The family offers special thanks to Dr. John Dietlein, Crystal Bergstrom, Cherish Thompson, Mary Williams and granddaughter Marci Merrill for their kindness and caregiving throughout her extended illness.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Diabetes Association.