Diane and I are deeply saddened to learn of Joyce's passing last month.  It was in the mid 1990's that we happened upon Joyce and Nick while visiting the historic Episcopal church in Virginia City, NV.  When I inquired as to the possibility of this Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square organist being allowed to play a bit on the old organ, Joyce's musical interest was piqued.  She and Nick soon discovered that we were vacationing with 9 children and headed in our large van to Lake Tahoe.  They explained that the highway passed near their home and insisted that we stop by for lunch.  So Diane, myself and those children discovered Joyce's lovely home on the mountainside of Gardnerville, NV where, even on such short notice, Joyce had spread out an amazing luncheon of culinary delights for 11 guests!  It is impossible to imagine a more gracious and capable hostess.

That serendipitous meeting began the most generous friendship of our lives!  We were honored to provide yearly tickets for Joyce, Nick and their accompanying friends to attend annual Tabernacle Choir Christmas concerts in the Tabernacle and Conference Center.  We were always invited to pre-concert dinners with them at the Salt Lake City Marriott.  I also loved having them attend my Christmas noon recitals at the Tabernacle organ.  They generously brought gifts, including a beautiful wooden cradle that Nick crafted in his workshop.  It sits next to my home organ filled with whatever music I am currently using.  Each year we looked forward to Joyce's Thanksgiving card bringing us up to date.  Thanksgiving being my favorite holiday, I found this tradition of Joyce's to be especially classy.  We could also expect multiple well-spaced holiday and beyond shipments of Harry & David's fruit each year.  

There were some other family stops at the Koropchak's in ensuing years as we passed by on the way to California, always with wonderful food and delightful company.  Nick and Joyce hosted Diane and myself at a pre-concert dinner with their friends at the Hilton when the Choir performed in Reno.

I still grow tomatoes from the four unique varieties Nick provided from seeds which are germinated each year in the greenhouse that he and Joyce also provided.  

No one could ask for more generous, gracious and Christian friends!  We are truly blessed to know Joyce and Nick Koropchak and will never forget them.  Diane and I look forward to that blessed day when we meet again "on the other side."

Clay Christiansen, Tabernacle Organist Emeritus