Judith Shurtleff Reese

Judith (Judy) Shurtleff Reese, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend passed away on February 27, 2022 at the age of 83. Our family and friends grieve the loss of this woman with boundless capacity for unconditional love.

Judy was born on June 6th, 1938 in Salt Lake City to Horace Walter and Gwendolyn Edwards Shurtleff, the youngest of three beautiful daughters, all uniquely exceptional. Following in the wake of her glamorous and talented sisters, Judy was the attention seeker who also cultivated close friendships. She never missed an opportunity to explore her boundaries, always with a friend by her side laughing at her escapades. She was a prankster and an initiator of fun. Raised on the Avenues of Salt Lake City she graduated from West High School and attended the University of Utah.

Judy married her high school sweetheart, Tony Clawson and their family quickly grew with the addition of three children, Scott, Jeff and Jana. She brought playfulness and joy into motherhood. She excelled in community involvement, from presiding over the PTA at her kids’ elementary school and running a neighborhood hair salon, to eventually working in the management of her father’s publishing business, Intermountain Contractor. People loved working with Judy because she didn’t let good, hard work get in the way of fun; she considered her business associates friends. She also valued her non-human friends and welcomed a variety of pets into her home over the years: ducks, geese, bunnies, cats and always one or more dogs.

Generous and outgoing, Judy made friends wherever she went. After her divorce from Tony, Judy married E. Eldeen Hansen in 1984 and her family circle grew to include his children and their spouses. Over time came grandchildren and a new nickname, “Grandma Mickey.” She filled her life with babysitting, scrapbooking, journaling, church service, real estate sales, crafting, publishing newsletters, and making stuffed animals (Mickey’s friends).

After Eldeen’s passing due to Alzheimer’s disease, Judy met and married William D. “Bill” Reese and again her circle of love grew to include Bill’s children and grandchildren. She and Bill enjoyed some wonderful years, including time at Yellowstone Ranch and various trips to exotic locations around the world until Bill’s passing in 2015. Judy enjoyed many close friendships with her neighbors and ward members and attracted attention by driving her Mini Cooper and eventually a three-wheeled bicycle complete with doggy basket around the neighborhood.

Judy was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many callings in Relief Society, Young Women, Sunday School and Family History. She loved her ward members and neighbors deeply. She particularly enjoyed serving as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake Temple. Her testimony is recorded in many journals and notes that have been shared with family and friends.

Sadly, Judy’s last years were afflicted by Alzheimer’s disease, and while the disease took much of her independence, she retained her faith, her desire to connect with people, her spunk, her boundless capacity for love, and her recognition of loved ones. For that we are grateful. We also express gratitude to many friends and neighbors for countless acts of loving service. We make special mention of the staff at the Ridge Cottonwood who took special and patient care of Judy for the last four months.

Judy is survived by sisters Joleen S. Willey and Patricia S. Grant, children Scott (Cathy) Clawson, Jeff Clawson, Jana (Curtis) Ward, nine grandchildren, seven great grandchildren with one on the way, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and assorted “granddogs.”

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 4th at 11 am at the Cottonwood Creek Ward, 1250 East 4800 South, Salt Lake City. A Viewing will be held that morning from 9 am until 10:30 am at the same location. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

For those who wish to view the recording of the services may do so here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/0VZuItFSITxVEpcxDS2y44ido1J1MTTyHYonU0FEdvLVBTZaGg4VzWaeXcHJF7nk.NsNDV9ARTplszzkd?startTime=1646414741000
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