Dr. Judith Eileen Southworth - Nielson

Born Judith Eileen Ellis, Judith passed away peacefully at the age of 90 in Sandy, Utah, with her loving family by her side. Judith was the daughter of Preston Lucerne Ellis and Pauline Ida Watson and lived her early life in Michigan, Illinois and Arizona. The Ellis family eventually landed in Los Angeles, California, where Judith graduated from Venice High School and attended St. Mary’s College.

At the age of 23, Judith joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, grounding her life and her future family in its teachings. While living and working in Santa Monica, at the Bank of America, Judith met and married Clifford Foster De Graw. They were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple, later moving to Utah, and together they had four children. In their early years together, the family spent summers working in the national park lodges at Bryce Canyon, Zion, and the Grand Canyon, creating lifelong friends and memories.

In her life, Judith made her own opportunities, rather than waiting for them to come to her, which served her well. Education shaped the course of Judith’s life, while she raised her family and charted her course through this life. She ambitiously completed her Bachelor of Science in English Language and Literature from Weber State University, followed by a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from Brigham Young University. All of which allowed her to become a specialized teacher, working for many years in the Davis School District.

She later completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Literacy Studies from Utah State University, a field in which she dedicated much of her career. Judith was a tenured professor and retired after a commendable career at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah, where she influenced countless students and future educators. Judith’s life reflected a deep love of learning, faith, and family. Her influence continues in the generations she leaves behind and in the hundreds of students whose lives were shaped by her devotion to teaching.

In the autumn of her life, she married her soulmate, Maurius James Nielson, in the Salt Lake Temple. Enjoying a joyfully wonderful season of love and companionship.

Judith had a passion for world travel, fine antiques and genealogy study. Dedicating many years of her life to these loves in her free time. Judith was also a faithful and valiant loving daughter of God. She held many service callings throughout her young life and in later years, served several church missions focused on genealogy work and serving in the Salt Lake Temple.

Judith is preceded in death by her eternal companion, Marius Nielson, her parents Preston and Pauline Ellis, brother Bruce, and sister Nanci. She is survived by her four children, Stephanie De Graw, Spencer (Julie) De Graw, Natalie (Henry) Moyle, and Madelyn (Brent) Meier, and her brother Keith Ellis.

She was a proud and doting grandmother whose memory lives on with 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and five nieces and nephews, each of whom she adored. Grandchildren: Nicholas, Samantha, Garret, Joshua, Coleman, Parker, Quinn, Zachary, Jacob, Tatum. Great Grandchildren: Oliver, Emerson, Hazel, Tessa, Everett, Amelia, Madden, Callum, Jude, Cooper, Isla Mae, and one on the way. Nephews: Bruce, John, and Cameron. Nieces: Jessica and Melissa.

Judith also loved and cherished her Southworth family and has always honored those close ties.

In memoriam, family and friends are invited to join a service honoring her life, to be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 22nd, at the Sandy Utah Canyon View Stake building located at 9119 South 1300 East. Sandy, Utah 84094, with Bishop Jeffrey Poelman presiding.

Burial will follow in the Memorial Holladay Cemetery, 4900 South Memory Lane Holladay, Utah, 84117 Visitation and viewing will precede the service at 9:00 a.m.