Joyce Cracas

Joyce H. Cracas Our loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, Joyce Heeley Hall Cracas, 91, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home with her family by her side on Saturday, October 29, 2022 in Brigham City, Utah. Joyce was born April 17, 1931 in the family home on a eight acre fruit farm to James and Frances Heeley Hall. Her parents came over from England when they were first married in 1912. They had six children and with Joyce being the youngest child. They all knew what hard work was, but you would never hear them complain, it was just life on a fruit farm. Joyce graduated from Box Elder High School in 1948, continuing her education at Utah State University and graduated in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in Education. Joyce met her future husband Tom Cracas at USU and they were married in the Logan Temple on December 18, 1953. Tom preceded Joyce in death on February 3, 2022. After graduating from Utah State University, Joyce taught for two years at Deweyville Elementary School. Joyce and Tom eventually made their home in Brigham City. Joyce ran a successful preschool for 33 years. She was known and loved as "Mrs. Cracas" by so many, she shaped so many children’s lives, with her preschool songs, positive learning, carpet squares for reading time and the love she showed each student. She has received many letters from former students as adults, telling her what a positive impact she made on their lives. Joyce was a member of the Civic Club which she enjoyed. She served as the historian, was also the photographer for the club and was the award winner on a photograph that received certification and recognition, where she won 1st place with the General Federation of Woman's Club of Utah. Her photograph was sent to the GFWC in a national contest in Washington D.C. Joyce also was the head of the arts and crafts show for 10 years and had overseen the Peach Days Floats. Joyce has received an award from the Humane Society for her help with animals and her love for them. She also received a Merit Award from the Rotary Club. After retiring from teaching, she learned to make porcelain dolls and original clothing for each one of them. She became so good at it that people from Brigham City and as far as Yellowstone started buying them from her. Joyce and her husband, Tom enjoyed skiing, training Arabian horses, training hunting dogs and enjoyed being at the cabin they built in Island Park, Idaho. They also enjoyed traveling, especially on a trip to Europe, meeting their relatives in England, and going to Italy, where Tom's family came from. Joyce also loved to sew, read, and garden. The couples greatest joy has been their family which includes: two children, Cathy Morton and Mike (Judy) Cracas, five grandchildren, Vanji (Derek) Christensen, Chas (Stephanie) Claybaugh, John (Dani) Cracas, Matt (Karine) Cracas, Iris (Chris) Chase and 10 great grandchildren. Also surviving is one sister, Kathleen Williams. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Tom, twin sons, Paul and Mathew Cracas, one great granddaughter, Kylee Slater, one sister and three brothers. The family would like to thank Mandi and Jason Harward and the wonderful staff at Beehive Homes of Perry for their loving care of Tom and Joyce. Services for Tom and Joyce will be held Friday, November 4, 2022 at 12:00 Noon at Gillies Funeral Chapel, 634 E 200 S., Brigham City. The family will greet friends from 11:00 to 11:45 am at the funeral chapel. Interment will be in the Brigham City Cemetery, where military honors will be accorded by the Combined Veterans of Box Elder Honor Guard for Tom. Send condolences to www.gfc-utah.com. Click this link to view additional details about Joyce's Services, including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/joyce-h-cracas Services entrusted to Gillies Funeral Chapel, Brigham City, Utah 435-723-5236.