Judith Kim Hassell

“And at last your own death will steal upon you…a gentle, painless death, far from the sea it comes, to take you down, borne down with the years in ripe old age, with all your people, in blessed peace around you”          The Odyssey, Book 11, Lines 153-156. (translated by Robert Fagles)

Judy Hassell passed away early Sunday morning, March 8th, 2026, attended by family and hospice staff, in her beautiful room 102, of Spring Gardens Memory Care in Heber City, Utah.

She was born on April 3rd, 1939, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the only daughter of Alfred Ruben Nelson and Erna Goulding, who later divorced. In 1941, her mother married Everett Lawrence Murphy and the young family moved to Southern California, where Everett worked as a welder for the Southern California Gas Company.

Judy was raised in Anaheim with her older brother Rod and younger sister Patricia (Pat). She learned to play piano, performed in recitals and was a member of the Trouveres Choir in middle school. When Disneyland opened in 1955, Judy made tuna burgers at the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship and Restaurant, later serving this dish as a special treat to her children. She graduated from Anaheim Union High School in 1957.

In the 1960’s and 70’s, Judy went through cycles of marriage and divorce and raised her children in Southern California, Southern Oregon and in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She worked in various administrative and finance jobs to help support her family.

In November of 1979, she married Clayton R Hassell in Ashland, Oregon and the marriage was later solemnized in August of 1980 in the Oakland Temple. She and Clayton later served as missionaries in the Philippines from 1996 to 1997 and as ordinance workers in the Ogden Temple in 2016.

Judy’s main purpose in life was to help others feel special by showing them love. She emulated her Savior by following His example by ministering to those in need through acts of service; volunteering in the community and in church callings. She was constantly calling and writing to her friends and family; lifting them with her encouragement and counsel.

Though she was not able to pursue a traditional college education after high school, she sought to learn by reading books, especially those relating to history and gospel doctrine. Most importantly, she studied her scriptures and the principles she learned from them helped her build her own testimony and use it to help fortify others.

To her, the “Glory of God is intelligence.” She wanted to become a social worker and completed some college courses toward that end. She encouraged her children and grandchildren to further their own education.

She enjoyed traveling, visiting Germany, Jamaica, Peru and the Philippines. She also loved to cook and eat, especially Thai food. She also advocated for social causes and was instrumental in preserving a covered bridge in Eagle Point, Oregon.

She loved her eternal companion, Clayton and missed him dearly and was looking forward to being reunited with him and other family members who have passed. She loved her children, their spouses and grandchildren by genuinely taking an interest in their lives by listening to them and never forgetting to call them on their birthdays and other special occasions.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Erna and Everett Murphy; brothers: Gerald Dan Nelson, Rodney Gene Nelson; sister Patricia Springer; daughter Sheila Hassell Jewkes; daughter Jennifer Lynn Addington; son Clayton Ray Hassell; grandson Charles Everett Dodson Hays; and great-grandson Phoenix Jermain.

Judy is survived by her brother-in-law Ray Springer; sons: Chris Addington (Terry), Joe Addington, Philip Addington (Sabrina), Diego Maestas, John Manuel Hassell, Brad Hassell, James Hassell; daughters: Andrea Dabier (Ali), Susan Addington, Cynthia Hassell, Melanie Terrile; 20 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; and assorted nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at the Midway City Cemetery, 600 West 500 South. Prior to the graveside service, a viewing will be held Saturday morning from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM at Probst Family Funerals, 79 East Main Street, Midway, Utah 84049. Because the graveside service is outside, It has been asked that you wear warm clothing.