Judith Lynn Kroll Giles, 71, our beloved wife, mom, and granny, had to leave us suddenly due to an unforeseen medical event on November 15, 2021. We take comfort in knowing she will be reunited with many loved ones on the other side, including her parents and step-parents, brother Dennis, and grandson Jake. Judy had a strong faith in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was a compassionate follower of Christ. We know she is now in the presence of His love. Judy did so much in this world to spread kindness and had a tremendous impact on those who knew her.
She was an elementary school teacher for over twenty years and eventually became a school principal, where she worked tirelessly to create a positive environment for her students. As a teacher, she oversaw the drama club and put on several school plays. She coached softball for her daughters, and was active in many church callings, including Relief Society President, Cub Scouts, and Young Women.
Born on September 29, 1950, in Salt Lake City, she made lifelong friends, and made special efforts to stay in touch with cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family. She took care of her elderly mother for many years. Family was the most important thing to Judy. She met her husband Larry working at the Jackson Lake Lodge when they were young, and they were married for 49 years. Larry and Judy created a loving and supportive family and helped their children and grandchildren with anything they needed. They went on many fun-filled family vacations together. Judy made holidays and birthdays special and made sure to attend every event her grandchildren were part of. Judy lived her life well and lived in the service of others. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Judy is survived by husband Larry, daughters Wendy Fuller (Brian) and Crystal Hansen (Nic), grandchildren Taylor Glover (Evan), Josh (Brittany), Matthew, Asher, and Kai, and great grandsons Henry and Charlie, brother Gary Kroll (Debbie), step-siblings Kelly and Kathy McCann, and Renee Turner (Barry).
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, UT. A viewing will be held on Friday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 pm and on Saturday morning from 10:00 – 10:45 am prior to the services. To share a memory of Judy with her family or to obtain information to watch the services online, please visit larkincares.com.
The family requests that those in attendance wear masks.
To watch the recorded services online, please click on the blue "Watch Services" box above.
Our hearts are just broken with the passing of our sweet and kind neighbor, Judy and Larry, who lived across the street from us in West Jordan and were amazing neighbors of ours for over 23 years. I loved visiting with her while getting the mail, or out working in the yard. She always was so nice and had nothing but kind words. I loved hearing stories of how her and Larry met in Yellowstone. I know her family meant everything to her and they were the most important thing in her life. I will miss her smile and her hugs. She truly will be missed by so many people that she has touched in her life. She was a great example of Christ and showed pure love and kindness to anyone she knew. We will miss her so very much! Our thoughts and prayers are with Larry and their family ❤️
Judy is my cousin and I have such love and admiration for her. She has such a kind gentle demeanor that made us feel happy to be with her. I will miss her so much and express my great sympathy for her family.
Dear Giles Family,
I am so sorry to hear of your wife and mother’s sudden passing. We grew up together in the Rosecrest Ward, Canyon Rim Stake in Salt Lake City, where we had many happy memories.
I have this vague memory of all of us as teenagers having a slumber party in Judy’s basement, playing records on her record player, singing and dancing to the Lesley Gore song, “It’s My Party and I’ll Cry If I Want To,” and calling into the local radio station to dedicate songs to people.
A few years back another friend of ours, Renee, ran into her and she shared a picture of all of us at high school graduation. I’m really glad to have that now. I will be watching tomorrow virtually and thinking of all of you. So sorry for your loss. She sounds like she lived a wonderful life.
Linda (Sealy) Ottley
Highland, Utah
Judy is an example of Christ like love for everyone. She helped our family in times of hardship. She will be so missed.
Mrs. Giles was not only my first grade teacher but also my 6th grade teacher at Bacchus Elementary many years ago. She is one of the teachers that inspired me to go into teaching. I taught 1st grade for 7 years and many times throughout teaching I would think of her and the love she had for her students. My heart aches for your family and the sudden lose. I know too well how hard it is to lose your Mom. Prayers of comfort at this time and always.
Thoughts of Judy and Larry go way back to a time when they were first getting acquainted. The family can take solace in the fact that she was able to giggle with Larry early on. I have proof. Larry may remember when he, Judy, my wife Becky (one of her long time friends) and I went to Yellowstone. We spotted some bison in the distance. Larry and I went forth to take a look. They were on the far side of the river and seemed harmless enough. About the time the lead bull went into the river and started across, Larry and I took evasive measures. He headed for the car and I headed for the nearest tree. When I got back to the car, Judy was still giggling over Larry's remarkable speed in his return trip to the car. Our family's love goes out to her family.
We are sorry to hear about Judy's passing. She was a dear friend, one of the kindest person I have had the privilege of knowing. I pray that you may find comfort knowing that many people loved her.
Dear Larry and family:
We received the news about Judy's passing and it brought a wave of wonderful memories and experiences we have shared. Because we are currently on a mission in the Philippines, we will not be able to come to the funeral but will watch it on Zoom.
We pray that you and your family will be comforted and blessed at this tender time. Recently we have read the following scriptures that we hope will help you. "For whether we live, we live unto the Lord;
and whether we die, we die unto the Lord; whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s." (Romans 14:8). "Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever." (Doctrine & Covenants 122:9). "If they live here let them live unto me; and if they die let them die unto me; for they shall rest from all their labors here, and shall continue their works." (Doctrine & Covenants 124:86)
Here are two poems I have written to share with you at this time.
Birth and Death
What’s birth and death
when all is said
when all is written
and all is read?
Is birth the start of everything?
Does death bring no remembering?
No, we existed prior to birth
and long before our time on earth
and we will live long after death
and far beyond our mortal breath.
Thomas L. Kay
Memories Are Not Erased
The dead lay here
beneath the grass
and often as the people pass
or rest beneath the trees
or sit
they think of those
and how they’re missed
But memories are not erased
by time
or absence of a face
They linger like a pleasant breeze
and fill our thoughts
like quaking leaves.
Thomas L. Kay
With our love and prayers for you,
Tom and Kathy Kay
I was so sad to hear of Judy's death. I was a teacher at Bacchus Elementary and worked with Judy for many years. She was such a great friend and colleague. She had such great leadership qualities. She was a blessing to our school. She always had such a positive attitude. It was always fun to be around her. Everybody that knew her will miss her.
❤Sweet, kind,fun, amazing Judy Giles. I could go on and on. She passed unexpectedly. Everyone who knew Judy was touched and blessed by knowing her. She told me when I was a baby that she, and my sisters Becky Grow and Susan Strebel liked to feed me and they would take turns "tasting" my food between giving bites to me.
Growing up, every Christmas afternoon Jim Kroll would bring Judy and Gary Kroll to visit us so they could see Becky, Susan and Jeffery Chaston. They were always so kind and fun with the "little sister".
As adults, Judy and I had a totally different relationship and oh how truly blessed I have been. So many fun memories.
Her greatest joy was her family and she would always share fun things about each of them.
My heart breaks for Larry, Wendy, Chrystal and for each of her grandkids and other family members. You were truly the joy and love of her life.
Many thoughts, prayers and hugs for each of you. May you feel her love and the love of the Savior at this difficult time.
Thank you for sharing her with so many. ❤
I was saddened to learn of Judy's passing. I didn't know her extremely well, but she was always so kind to everyone and her smile was contagious. The last time I saw Judy was November fast meeting where she bore her testimony. Her faith and love of the Lord surrounded. I will miss seeing her at church.
Fly with the angels Judy !
Judy was a force for good in our world. She is missed.
Larry, Please let us know if we can do anything.
Judy is more a friend than my former principal. Her smile, warmth, encouragement, and understanding made everyone feel that way. So grateful for her touch in my life! The words of President Hinckley (Hymn 135) come to mind. Judy lived her testimony. May her dear family be blessed with "the peace that comes alone from thee" Know you're in our hearts and prayers, today and moving forward.
We are so sad to see Aunt Judy leave us way to early. I hope everyone can find some peace in the life she lived and the person she was.
Dear Larry, Wendy, Crystal and family,
We were shocked and saddened at the news of Judy's unexpected passing. Our love and prayers go to you as you heal from this tremendous loss. Judy, who was my cousin, indeed touched many lives and made each of them better for it, including mine. She was an example to all of us who knew and loved her. We all have many fond memories of family activities over the years, along with her great sense of humor. We will miss her.
Larry and girls, I am so saddened to hear about Judy passing. She was so kind and caring. I loved her dearly and was so impressed with her and how adorable it was when she talked about her family. You can know that you were her whole life and she loved you guys so much. Last time I saw her, she bragged about you. Please know that your memories will help you get through this difficult time. I worked with her for fifteen years at Penneys and twenty-six at Bacchus Elementary. We went to classes together and stayed up in Logan together. Her brother was a driver’s Ed. Teacher with my brother-in-law. What a precious gem you guys had. Bless all your family members and stay strong. My prayers are with you
So sorry for your loss. Mrs. Giles taught me in 1st and 6th grade. She was an excellent teacher and I'm glad that I knew her and had the chance to catch up a few years ago.
Dear Larry, Wendy and Crystal and Family. After being your Neighbor for many years. We have often thought about all of you. I just now seen by searching Judy that she had passed away on my Birthday last year, I was so shocked. She was such a Sweet, Kind and Special Lady. She told me how she always wanted to teach. We are all so Deeply Sorry and Saddened for your Loss. Take Care. Love, Kelly, Judy, Charo, Jeramy, James and Chad Johnson