Joan Elizabeth Mcgrory

Patrick Mohomes, quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, lost his biggest fan Saturday, October 30, 2021, with the passing of Joan McGrory. Joan, or Granny as she was mostly known, died at Portneuf Medical Center holding the hand of her oldest daughter and surrounded by the collective love of her family and friends.

Mom was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware. She studied nursing and became a Registered Nurse. She married James McGrory and was able to travel the world as an Army wife. She remained in Savannah Georgia upon their divorce where she raised three very different daughters. She moved to Pocatello upon the birth of her twin grandchildren. She worked at Bannock Hospital and retired from Encompass Home health.

During her lifetime, Mom was the Granny to many. You always knew where you stood with her. She didn’t mince words - sometimes being annoyingly truthful. She was the parent all the other kids wanted to chaperone trips as they thought she was “cool.” She was a lover of action movies - especially Rambo and Under Siege. She absolutely loved Queen and Jimmy Buffet.

As an Army wife and single mother, she learned to be self sufficient as well as new skills - even once installing a doorbell on the house. She supported all of her kids in their hopes and dreams. She was always up for Parent vs. Kids school events - one time showing up to a parent vs. children basketball game with a Rambo headband on. She loved being the class Granny to all of her grandchildren’s classes and often was asked to work with the most challenging students.

She loved being a nurse and thrived in the Emergency Department. She was an early HIV/AIDS activist and bitterly resented having to wear gloves that she felt removed human contact. She had no trouble putting unruly patients in their place.

She came to love Idaho and enjoyed traveling, especially to Island Park and Yellowstone. This summer she was able to take a road trip from Idaho all the way to Delaware and back. She lived her dream of eating beignets in New Orleans and seeing Death Valley at Clemson University. We expect that Wingers, Red Robin, and Goodwill will see a decline in their profits upon her passing.

Mom loved reading dirty books and asking Bre what they meant. She loved watching HGTV, especially with Jennifer, Katie, and Lizzie, and craft videos. She lived by football and baseball schedules - especially the Dallas Cowboys, Clemson, and Kansas City Chiefs. We firmly believe that she had a hand in the Atlanta Braves, her favorite baseball team, winning the World Series.

When Jennifer died three years ago, we thought Mom would never recover. At the same time her cancer returned and she began chemo treatments. She recovered but never got over the loss of Jennifer and was almost in remission for her cancer. We must look back to the past three years as a gift that we still had her in our lives.

We must thank all of the doctors and nurses who cared for Mom throughout her cancer journey and the final hospitalization. Your treatment and support of Mom has meant the world to us.

Although we believe Mom has reunited with Jennifer, she leaves behind heartbroken daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sisters, cousins, friends, and work colleagues.

A Celebration of Life will be held November 18 at Wilks Funeral Home beginning at 5:00. Joan hated dresses, barely tolerated skirts, and loved football and baseball. Therefore, in her honor, we are asking all those who attend to wear the colors/swag of your favorite college/pro football or baseball team. Additionally, Joan was also known for her funky socks. We are asking attendees to bring a brand new pair of socks to be donated to homeless shelters. Bring a pair and get a pair of her socks to take home.

Lastly, please write your favorite story or memory of Joan to share with her family. You can bring it to the service, share on Facebook, or email to gritsmam@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Idaho Education Association’s Children Fund at
https://pages.donately.com/ieachildrensfund/donate or
IEA Children’s Fund
PO Box 2638
Boise, ID 83701

A celebration of life will take place at 5:00 p.m. on November 18, 2021 at Wilks Funeral Home. A light reception will take place after the celebration of life also at Wilks.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family under the "Share a memory" section above.