Judy Lillie King

Judith Lillie King 

Judy Lillie King, passed away peacefully at the age of 72 on April 5, 2024. She was the eternal sweetheart of Russell Scott King; they were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple over 50 years ago. Throughout her life, Judy exemplified unconditional love, kindness, service, and devotion to her family and passions. She was the loving mother of Angie (Curt) Muir, Steven (Amber) King, Michael (Bridget) King, and Lisa (Daniel) Lippert. Judy was also a cherished grandmother to 12 grandchildren with another one on the way, a perfect baker’s dozen. 

Earlier in her life Judy was a talented pianist and ballerina and had even been accepted to join Ballet West. Judy also started sewing at an early age and became a masterful seamstress and creator, making everything from clothes and dresses to quilts and home decorations. She delighted in sharing her love of sewing with her children and grandchildren, nurturing their talents and dreams along the way. The local “Sew and Save” store was affectionately referred to by her as the “Sew and Spend” store, where she was a frequent customer and always had another four projects picked up before finishing one.  Judy loved going to craft fairs with Lisa and Angie. Her talent brought beauty and elegance to everything she touched. 

Judy's love for literature was unparalleled; she was an avid reader and a connoisseur of all genres. Her passion for reading was infectious, as she instilled in her children a deep appreciation of books, learning, deep thinking, and seeing situations from multiple perspectives. She wrote many long heartfelt letters and poems to loved ones and aspired to be an author and to one day finish her Rascal book “The Dog Who Thought He Was...” She touched all our lives with her warmth, wisdom, and enduring love. 

As a homemaker, Judy created a sanctuary of warmth and love, where family traditions were created and celebrated. Decorations adorned the house for every holiday and the family came first. A devoted matriarch, Judy cherished her role as a mother and grandmother. Judy’s love for her family extended to the dinner table, where her culinary skills and warm hospitality brought everyone together. The yearly harvest from the family garden filled the kitchen with bottles and lids, boiling pots of tomatoes, and canning produce. After weeks of sweaty work there would be enough saved up to last the entire year and to this day her dilly beans are cherished in the family. 

Judy had a rare gift for making others feel heard and understood. She loved listening to her loved ones tell stories or when they sought counsel from her, she was notably insightful. Her compassionate nature and authenticity drew others to her, and she was admired by those that got to know her. She had a compassionate nature and served until she would drop, literally going through two hip replacement surgeries in the later years of her life.  Judy's presence was a source of comfort and solace in the family. She was an example of many Christ-like attributes like service, sacrifice, integrity, and love. 

Judy had a fondness for lighthouses and polar bears, she was a loving “Mama Bear” and fiercely defended her cubs.   Judy found joy in the outdoors including gardening, cross-country skiing, and camping. Judy made an early investment in a cabin which led to many memorable family adventures and New Year’s celebrations in the mountains. In addition to the mountains, her favorite place to visit was the ocean and beach. A book, the sun, and some sand were her perfect day along with a good nap.

She had a passion for musicals, both the classics and new works. Each year she purchased season tickets to the Hale Center Theatre for the family and loved going to see the plays together and especially the beautiful costumes. One of her favorite theater experiences was flying to California to the beach with her son, Michael, to see Hamilton. She played those songs for months. 

Her adventurous spirit led her to enjoy activities like ziplining in South America, just last year on a cruise with her son Steven and his family. She loved ATV rides in the mountains. One special trip, with her daughter Lisa, to the Big Rock Candy mountains had rain, snow, mud, and fog but she just threw on a poncho and kept going. A memorable trip to Disneyland and the beach with Angie and her family led them to question whether Disneyland really was the happiest place on earth.

She loved playing games as a family, always on the lookout for new ones to try together. Many games required drawing clues and her drawings were terrible, but we always laughed so hard our bellies ached listening to her explain how it matched the clue. 

Her zest for life, kindness, and unwavering support will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her life was full of love, a life well lived, and we know our hearts are broken over her loss because we have been loved by her. She will be missed as much as she has been loved. 

The Family has opted not to have an open public viewing or funeral services currently but is planning to have a Celebration of Life gathering on May 26th from 6 pm-9 pm at Russ and Judy’s backyard.