Judy Miltonia Swift

Judy Miltonia (Bratcher) Swift born December 8, 1951 returned to her Heavenly Father on January 13, 2024 surrounded by loved ones at Utah Valley Hospital in Provo, Utah after a brief illness. We envision her being greeted and embraced by her parents George and Elsie (Webster) Bratcher and her younger brother George. She is adored and desperately missed by her husband of 52 years, Samuel Hyde Swift, her children Trish (Tyler) Hopkinson, Jon (Dianna) Swift, Mary Nikols, Carol (Marc) Ligon, sixteen grandchildren, foster children Adam Cryer and Sarah Cryer, and her brother Jim Bratcher, all of whom she loved unconditionally.

Judy, who went by "Toni" when she was growing up in St. James, Missouri, was an exceptional student with almost perfect attendance. She graduated from John F. Hodge High School in 1970 and received a Bachelor's degree in music education from Central Methodist College in Rolla, Missouri in 1974. She played in the marching band all four years of high school and college, including attending band camp in the summers. Her children used to marvel at the transparent, blue vinyl records she kept from her band camp recordings. They thought she was famous.

Judy was an incredible musician, playing trumpet with the Lehi Silver Band, American Fork Symphony, Nebo Philharmonic Orchestra, Provo Freedom Band, and several other musical productions over the years. She was well-known for the horse whinny she played on her trumpet for the Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Sleigh Ride. Judy held many musical callings as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; her service included singing with the choir and other groups, piano accompanist for the Primary, Relief Society, choir and congregation (occasionally playing organ or trumpet), selecting music for performances, and directing the choir and congregation during services. She was a creative and talented cake maker, baking and decorating cakes for family and friends' birthdays and special occasions. You can see her amazing creations on her Facebook page: Grandma's Cakes.

Judy's trademark is her long, wavy, silver hair often accompanied by a warm, genuine smile. When she was a young adult, she entered a Christmas hairstyle contest and had her hair done atop her head and decorated like a Christmas tree. She won the contest, but was disappointed in first prize; it was a comb. She had an incredible sense of humor, loved science fiction books and movies, and was a huge Star Trek fan. She never seemed to slow down and was always busy with band practice, helping with grandchildren, making cakes, or hosting family dinners, all while working as a Service Quality Analyst at Xactware where she had been employed for over 15 years.

Services will be held in her honor on Tuesday, January 23rd at 11:00 am at the Provo 1st Ward Meetinghouse, 195 South 100 East, Provo, Utah. A viewing will also be held at the church the night before on Monday, January 22, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and from 9:30 to 10:45 am on Tuesday prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made via Venmo @JudyMSwift (last 4 digits of phone number 0222) to assist with funeral and hospital expenses.

The family asks that Judy be remembered for the joy and music she brought to others in life and not the sadness of her passing. If she were here, she would say (in the words of Spock), "I have been, and always shall be, your friend. Live long and prosper."