Judith Kathryn Valentine

Judith Kathryn Valentine was born December 21, 1938 at 8:43 PM.

Her parents were Joseph Howard Valentine, and Florence Amelia Stewart.

When she was first born, her family lived at the Spencer Stewart Apartments, which were built by her grandmother, Amelia Spencer Stewart. At age 5 her family moved to 11th Avenue. Unexpectedly, her father passed away when she was 13, and this turned her life upside down because he was her hero. He did leave her with some foundational advice:

Never give in! Never give up!

She attended Ensign Elementary School, Stewart Junior High, East High and graduated from South High School in 1957. She attended the University of Utah and then set out for New York City.

In New York, she had a successful career as an actress, producer and director in the performing arts. Later she found fulfillment writing highly acclaimed poetry, did some writing and painting. Her final occupational adventure was as a party and event planner (Elton John was one of several famous clients). One of her last public events was impromptu dancing with Neil Diamond on her birthday. Prior to leaving for New York, she spent time as the president of the Roy Rogers fan club.

For the final decades of the 20th century, she was with her companion Matthew J Culligan until he died in 2002. They had a wonderful relationship, she retained a lot of memorabilia and painted several pictures of him.

She made several trips to the west to renew relationships and make new ones with the rising generation, including Blake, Luke, Spencer, Kiersten, Kingsten and Brooklynn.

She is survived by her sister, Gay Florence Valentine Genet (Don), and her brother, Richard Spencer Valentine (Vickie). She was preceded in death by her father and mother, brother Stewart Howard Valentine and sister Margaret Suzanne Valentine. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

The family expresses appreciation to everyone who moved her and her stuff across the country. For the friends who watched over her belongings and picked up her mail. Also for those who cared for her in the final chapter of her life.

Funeral services are planned for Saturday September 13:

They will begin with the burial at 10AM in the Salt Lake City Cemetery, near the corner of Main Street and Uinta Avenue; Please enter the cemetery at approximately 920 East on 11th Avenue.

Judith's plan was to have a party on a yacht with everyone dressed up and drinking champagne. While the yacht party is not happening, we are honoring her wish to celebrate her life with joy rather than sorrow.

Following the burial, please join us for a celebration of life at the Larkin Mortuary

260 E. South Temple at 11 AM. This is a time to share stories, music, laughter and fond memories of Judith.

For those who wish to attend via Zoom, the link is provided here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/uGe_uwqfRl9-0LDpOIPdEFg-0FJ-CrptlL5M3rIclXBXij2DluYx5q-p7Cib38I.zb0YUZ0xYk9DDaPj?startTime=1757782392000 or click the "watch services" button above.

Around 12PM we will continue our gathering at 744 E 400 S