Judy Ann Taylor Woodland

On October 2, 2024, Judy Ann Taylor Woodland gracefully passed from mortality to the next life. She was born, August 15, 1942, in Richmond, Utah to Howard M. and Gwen Farnes Taylor. 

Judy's early childhood days were spent in Murray, Utah, where her sweet tooth first manifested itself. She was always friendly and frequently visited her neighbor to say "hello," knowing she would be treated with a small piece of candy. On her fifth birthday, Judy was gifted a box of her most favorite candy, cherry chocolates. Even at a young age, her unselfish nature found joy in sharing. Together with a friend, she sat in the shade of a backyard tree and devoured the whole box. In her words, "It was great!"

When Judy was nine years old, her family moved to Lewiston, Utah, where they raised chickens to lay and sell eggs. It was there Judy may, or may not, have shot her mother in the backside with a BB gun as she leaned over to gather eggs. Judy claimed she was aiming for a tree that stood between her and her mother; but the story never quite flew with her mother. 

In seventh grade, while walking home from Smithfield, Judy met an eigth-grade boy named Jerry Woodland. He had noticed Judy and began walking and talking with her and her friends. Soon thereafter, Jerry signed her dance card at a junior high dance. She was so elated! That's all it took for their romance to begin. 

Judy's interests were many as she participated in assemblies, school plays, and operettas. She was voted Student Body Secretary in ninth grade, a Band Sponsor-Baton Twirler and speech club member at North Cache High. She was twice chosen as Miss Lewiston. 

Throughout her life, Judy was a friend to everyone. All who knew her felt of her delightful nature and compassionate spirit. She had many friends and especially enjoyed the company of her high school friend Deanna Hodges; the one with a red 1959 Ford Skyliner Convertible. Yes, the playful friend with whom Judy delighted in speeding over the "wee bump" and catching air, on Center St. in Lewiston.

In addition to cute boys (well, one in particular named Jerry) and fast cars, Judy loved horses. She had a special way of working with them as was evidenced by her earning the title of Lewiston City Rodeo Queen.

After graduation, Judy worked as a secretary at Morton Thiokol and at Lewiston State Bank. She patiently waited for Jerry to return from serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Before he left, Jerry didn't take any chances. He sealed the deal by giving Judy an engagement ring. Without a doubt, she was in love with the boy; even after opening a Christmas gift Jerry sent her from the mission field - a scope for his favorite rifle! Soon after his return, in 1963, they were married in the LDS Logan Temple.

In addition to Judy's beauty, what attracted Jerry to her were qualities of empathy, patience, kindness, light-heartedness, and unconditional love. He knew she would be a good mother; and she didn't disappoint. Judy was intentional in creating a home based on Christian values, where honesty, faith, kindness, forgiveness, and acceptance were felt. Her love for the Lord, Jesus Christ, and His gospel was evidenced in her every endeavor, motive and decision.

No one made better homemade chocolates, melt in your mouth cinnamon rolls, or late-night milk shakes than Judy. Food was part of her love language and so was having fun and teasing with her kids. It wasn't uncommon for her to lock the front door, right as her son, Jason, approached the house making a bee-line home from elementary school. He refused to use the bathroom in school, so Judy found it quite amusing watching Jason do what she called the Watusi (also a popular 60's dance) on the front porch for a short time as he yelled, "Let me in!"

After Jerry's graduation from Utah State University, they moved around to several different places, including Detroit, Michigan and Redwood City, California. In 1969 they put down roots in Loveland, Colorado. It was there she served in various ward and stake callings with the youth and women of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her positive influence and impact were felt by many. She had a gift of finding ways to quietly go about doing good and help others see the good. 

They lived in Loveland until Jerry retired in 2002, then made their way back to Cache Valley, Utah. As hard as it was to leave friends and ward members in Loveland, Judy was thrilled with their new home in Richmond; nestled on a mountainside, overlooking the serene valley.

We can only imagine what a joyful mother-son reunion it must have been as Judy passed through the veil of mortality. She will be missed by friends, but especially her family, who know the Lord won't leave us comfortless. We patiently wait for the time we will be with one another again, throughout eternity. 

Judy is survived by her husband, Jerry Reed Woodland; children, Dianna Barton (Bryon), Kaysville, UT; Jason R. Woodland (Monica), Kaysville, UT; Kimberly Lay (John), Corona, CA; 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Judy was preceded in death by her son, Curtis Woodland.

Friends and family are welcome to attend a viewing on Thursday, October 10th, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Richmond Utah Stake Building (135 W Main St, Richmond, UT)

There will also be a viewing prior to the funeral services on Friday, October 11th, 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Richmond Utah Stake Building (135 W Main St, Richmond, UT)

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 11th, 11:00 a.m. at the Richmond Utah Stake Building (135 W Main St, Richmond, UT). Interment will be in the Richmond City Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com

Services will be available to stream live on Friday Oct 11, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. MDT at the following link:

https://youtube.com/live/tzRmC6BMlCg?feature=share