Lily Ann Hoffman Balsley, 89, died from an inoperable brain tumor on Oct. 10, 2020, surrounded by her family.
Lily Ann was born on Feb. 9, 1931, in the coal mining town of Sego, Utah. She was the eldest child of James Henry Hoffman and Dorothy Ellen Lance Hoffman. After moving to Moab, Lily Ann attended local schools and graduated from Grand County High School in 1949. Later, she attended Stevens-Henager College in Salt Lake City.
Lily Ann married her long-time sweetheart Thomas Howard Balsley on Dec. 31, 1956, in Las Vegas, Nevada. They ran many business ventures including managing a Sears Catalog store, overnight rentals and trailer sales. Lily Ann could see beauty all around and was able to capture that beauty in her paintings. She loved to garden and was always learning about the world around her.
Lily Ann was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Thomas; a sister, Corine Carter; her brother, Harold Hoffman; a son, Roger Balsley; and her great-grandson, Henry Heaton. She is survived by two sons, Tom Balsley Jr. and Tracy Balsley; a daughter, Kathie (Paul) Holyoak; and a sister, Wanda Secrest. She enjoyed spending time with her eight grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and her many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Oct. 16 at 11 a.m. at the Moab Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center on Locust Lane. A viewing will be held Thursday, Oct. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Spanish Valley Mortuary and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow at the Grand Valley Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.spanishvalleymortuary.com.
