Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Joan Rae Rigby, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2026. She lived a life filled with love, service, faith, and a remarkable ability to make everyone around her feel valued and important.

Joan was born on December 7, 1932, in St. Anthony, Idaho, to James Edgar Birch and Veda Munk Birch. She attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, where she majored in Speech, Drama, Dance, and Radio. Her love of dance became a lifelong passion. Joan taught dance classes well into her 80s, sharing her talents with generations of students. Among her many students were her own 25 grandchildren, creating treasured memories that will continue for generations.

Joan also worked as a reading aide in the Logan and Cache County schools. She loved the children she worked with and formed meaningful friendships with the other aides. Joan had a way of seeing each person as special, leaving a lasting impression on everyone she met.

A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joan served in many callings throughout her life, including Stake Primary President and Ward Relief Society President. She found great joy in serving others and sharing her testimony of the gospel.

Joan married Gordon Rigby, on June 22, 1955. Together they built a beautiful life and were blessed with five sons. Joan taught her boys to dance, while Gordon taught them the value of hard work on the farm. Their partnership was a wonderful example of love, dedication, and family.

Joan and Gordon served two missions together—the first in Washington, D.C., and the second in Tampa, Florida. They loved sharing the gospel both during their missions and throughout their lives, and they cherished the many special friendships they made along the way.

After Gordon passed away, Joan moved into Blacksmith Fork Assisted Living Center. She especially enjoyed her relationships with the staff, caring Church leaders, and she formed many dear friendships with fellow residents. She had a very special friendship with Sheron, and the two were often inseparable. Her final three weeks in the memory care unit at Legacy House were tender and meaningful, and the family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care, kindness, and love shown to Joan during that time.

Joan is survived by her five sons and their wives: Bruce (Karla), Alan (Leslie), Shawn (Kim), Scott (Jalyn), and Steven (Shelly). She leaves behind a beautiful legacy of 25 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Rigby; her brothers, Lowell Birch and Vincent Birch; and her great-grandson, Kaleb Rigby.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nibley Stake Center, 3701 South 450 West, Nibley, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 9:30–10:30 a.m.

A viewing will also be held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street, Logan, Utah.

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com.