Judy Taylor

Judith Ann Petersen Taylor, lost a fast and furious battle with pancreatic cancer. A loving mother, daughter, sister, and friend, Judy was born on May 25, 1949, to her late father, David O Petersen, and mother, Norma Iona Edwards Zunino, and passed away on Monday, November 17th, 2025, at the age of 76. She is now reunited with her late husband, Edward Lee Taylor Jr.

Judy was the loving mother of five children: Sarah Liscano, Kimberly Taylor, Monica Paterson (Johnny), Joey Taylor (Geoff) and Emily Browness (Anthony). She had 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren who love her dearly and will miss her greatly.

Judy was born in Spokane, Washington. As a child, she grew up with three older brothers, and two younger brothers and one sister. She loved her family very much and also developed her faith and conviction at a young age. Despite being an amputee at a very young age, Judy was known for her joyful smile, her warm and kind disposition and her loving heart towards others. Later in life, it was through her faith that she found her career as a teacher. She went on to obtain her master's degree in teaching for gifted and talented children and was known as being especially gifted in dealing with children with special needs. She was often entrusted with the care of kids who greatly needed her gentle yet firm instruction and she found many creative solutions to help them, and met them where they were in need, and did everything she could to help them succeed in the classroom. After suffering a stroke, which left her with a stutter, she learned that singing would make the stutter go away. She became known for singing to her kids, who found joy and fun in listening to the melodies and rhymes she would use in classroom instruction. Years later she would be approached by students and parents alike who would greet her warmly and recount their positive memories of her. Prior to learning of her diagnosis, she had planned to attend a performance of one of her previous students who was appearing in a Christmas program.

Judy was a ray of sunshine in the lives of so many. She smiled and greeted everyone she saw in case she needed an alibi one day. She lived a life of service and gratitude. She made friends with every person who came into her hospital room and was making jokes right up to the end. She will be deeply missed.

Judy has been a believer since very young and was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for many years and had many beautiful friendships in this community of faith that were by her side. Her faith in God sustained her hope in his promise, especially in the later years of her life as her health declined. While seemingly untimely and too soon for those who loved her; we take comfort in knowing that she has been reunited with the love of her life, Edward, and called home by her Lord and Savior, according to His will.

As we celebrate her life, let us remember Judy's beautiful smile, her generous heart, spirit of gentleness and generosity, and resolve to put her full hope in the Lord as He has now called her into his eternal presence.

A viewing will be held Monday, November 24, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home located at 4760 South State Street, Murray, Utah. Funeral services will be held November 25, 2025 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1160 E. Vine street, Murray, Utah at 11:00 am with a viewing from 10:00 to 10:45 am prior to services.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to one of the organizations Judy supported.

Shriners Hospital https://donate.shrinerschildrens.org/campaign/732353/donate?c_src=google-pmax-core&c_src2=gt-2025&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23015142123&gbraid=0AAAAADy9t144jtKEqDDKLiI-8Ff4GsLEg&gclid=CjwKCAiAz_DIBhBJEiwAVH2XwLcl7aDhpPRwFDVqV4yFyXHV6SOsNSzC5BMCQq0YDqMPT59DkF8I2hoCJOgQAvD_BwE

English Skills Learning Center https://www.eslcenter.org/donate

Hope Clinic https://www.utahhopeclinic.org/