Judy Alice Stevens

Judy Alice Morgan Stevens, 83, a life-long resident of Layton, Utah, passed away peacefully in her sleep early Sunday morning, November 19, 2023. She was born February 27, 1940 to James Harvey and Alice Walker Morgan. She was the second to last child of their nine children: Dean, Beth, Glen, Leah, Faye, Aleene, Dell, Judy, and Sus-Ann. This little sister died suddenly just before her first birthday, leaving Judy to be the “baby” of the family. Her older siblings always doted over and adored her—even into her later, middle-aged life. She was the last survivor of this great Morgan family. The last chapter of that book is now closed, but with many sequels of a vast living legacy of all their posterities.

Judy was married to DelMar W Stevens on June 21, 1956. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on May 28, 1957. They started their married life very young, ages 18 and 16, and yet made it work lovingly and fantastically. Dad has called her his “Little Sweetheart” right up until her passing. They celebrated 67 anniversaries! Eight children were blessed to be born into this beautiful family; four sons, and four daughters (“The Even Stevens”): Brad (Koryn), Pamela (Steve), Darren (Debbie), Randy, Allison (James). Craig (Amy), Heidi (Justin), Camille (Josh). There are currently 41 grandchildren, 52 great grandchildren, and 3 great, great grandchildren!

The gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints was the foundation of Judy’s life. She was a faithful and unwavering member. She served in many callings clear back to when Primary was still held on a weekday. And perhaps more importantly, she lived its teachings by developing her many talents, and by being in service to family and others over her lifetime.

Judy was a gifted seamstress and sewed clothing for all the kids. She made jeans, both LAPDs and saddlebacks—popular in the 70’s. For the girls, family, and friends, she made beautiful tricot nightgowns and pillowcases. There were many plush, velour robes, and flannel pajamas for Christmases. She sewed Easter dresses, costumes, ballet dresses, curtains, bedspreads, and tied quilts. She altered old prom dresses and other clothing into small child sizes to create a magical box of dress-ups. Many a grandchild played make-believe in the little playhouse under the stairs.

As a young girl, Judy took ballet lessons in the basement of the Bertha Eccles Art Building in Ogden. She always loved ballet and other beautiful arts, especially music. She idolized Yanni with his long and wild dark hair, soul-stirring music, seeing him in concert several times. She was also crazy over Neil Diamond and she and Dad saw him in concert every time he came to Utah. “Sweet Caroline”! They danced, sang, and stood through every show. Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserable were two of her favorite musicals. She was tickled to have an adorable granddaughter named “Cosette.”

Like her mother, Alice, Judy was a master canning artist. Her peaches, pears, jams, cherries, green beans, pickles, and apricot nectar won her the Canning Sweepstakes one year in the Davis County Fair. She was a perfectionist. Every piece of fruit was arranged meticulously in its jar. No fruit had a single bruise, and all the green beans were snapped to the exact same length.

Judy was a true example of a homemaker. As kids growing up, we were lucky to have dinner around the table (with dessert!) every night of our lives. That certainly has played a part in being a close-knit and loving family. She was incredibly organized. She assigned us chores, and though we grumbled and complained (as kids do), we always had a clean home. Sheets were changed, bathrooms cleaned, floors, mopped or vacuumed every Saturday morning before we could watch cartoons. There was never a dish left in the sink or on the counter before the lights went out for the night. Mom did ALL the laundry for our family of ten, three days a week. All socks were matched, clothing folded and put in drawers, or

hung on hangers and put in closets. There were never loads left in the dryer or sitting in laundry baskets. Imagine our surprise when each of us left home and discovered that there was no Laundry Fairy! It was always Mom.

An entire book could be written on the time and care Mrs. Santa put into Christmas. When one Christmas was over, she started on the upcoming one. She thought carefully about every child, grandchild, and great grandchild. The wrapping was as much a part of the present as the gift itself. As children, we always looked forward to the Avon gifts in their small decorative bottles tucked in little

boxes and wrapped in expensive, foil paper. We always opened our new pajamas or nightgowns and our Avon gift on Christmas Eve.

Grandma Judy never missed a birthday for anyone in the family—kids, in-laws, grandkids, and great grandkids. Every card seemed chosen specifically for its recipient and was mailed with money, a handwritten note, and stickers both on the envelope and inside the card. This eventually grew to a list of over 110 family members!

Mom, Judy, Grandma kept a home of warmth, beauty, and magic. She collected all types of figurines: small animals, Kewpie babies, Victorian ladies, angels, little boxes and books, many colored glass dishes, lead crystal, and toys for the grandkids. She created a world of magic and wonder as if all the little people and animals were watching over and protecting their home.

In Judy’s later years her health declined and she was in near constant, chronic spine, and leg pain. Her memory also started to fail her. DelMar has taken care of the chores, home, grocery shopping, meals, and countless doctor appointments for mom without complaint. He has been the greatest caretaker and has still called her his “sweetheart” daily. Judy resided at Pheasant View Memory Care for these last several months of her life though she still fed herself, knew who all of us were, dressed daily, complete with shoes and socks and combed her own hair. She still often put on a little dash of lipstick to give her face some color and to highlight her beautiful smile. Judy, Mom, Grandma may have forgotten her marvelous talents and gifts to the world, but we have not and they will live on through us, her posterity, for generations to come.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Layton Valley View Stake Center, 1589 E. Gentile Layton, Utah. Friends may visit with family Monday, November 27, 2023 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd. Layton, Utah and 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

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