Judy Penrod Cooper

Our beloved mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to all who knew her passed away on October 17, 2025 following a courageous battle with dementia and cancer.

Judy was born on May 21, 1943 to Doris Bauer Penrod and Don Allen Penrod in Elberta, Utah. She was the oldest of four children, two of whom survive her. She graduated from Payson High School, after which she married James Albert Cooper in the Manti Temple on 6 Sept 1963.

Judy and Jim moved to Salt Lake City to pursue an education and to start a family.

Judy forged a path uncommon at the time and left rural Utah to become a nurse. She spent her career helping others, first on the cancer floor of LDS Hospital, where she helped care for those in the last days of their lives, and then later at Bryner Clinic, where she helped numerous families welcome new lives into their homes. Judy never sought recognition, but instead was a steadying force in many people’s lives during difficult and trying times.

Growing up in central Utah, Judy was a “downwinder” and suffered from the effects of nuclear tests, first with thyroid cancer, which she successfully beat, and later with colon cancer, which she fought until her death. This fight was made more difficult with the onset of macular degeneration and later dementia.

In retirement Judy focused on her grandchildren and great-grandchild, especially after the death of James in 2011. Her life revolved around them, and she was proud of every one of them. In the weeks before her death she commented on how incredibly blessed she was to have such amazing grandchildren and great-grandchild. She also dearly loved her study group – and our family is thankful for the support of these amazing women over the years. Judy will be loved and missed by all who truly knew her.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband James and her brother Dana Penrod. She is survived by her four children, Jaren (Angie), Dori (Luis) Ribeiro, Ryan, and Braden; nine grandchildren; Kyleigh, Emma, Hannah, Brie, Daniel, Kate, Taylor, Nash and Davis; great-grandchild Lily; and sisters Nancy Queen, Jill (Carl) McClellan, and sister-in-law Debbie Penrod. 

A viewing will be held on Friday October 24th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Little Cottonwood Stake Center located on 6180 So. Glenoaks Street (855 East). Following the viewing, family and friends may join us at a graveside service at the Murray City Cemetery (5490 So. Vine Street).