Julia VaLeen Moore

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and dear friend, Julia VaLeen (Bell) Moore, passed away peacefully at home on July 13, 2025, at the age of 83.

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Albert Milton Bell and VaLeen Taylor Bell, Julia’s life was shaped by faith, family, service, and a deep love for music and creativity. She grew up in Salt Lake City, raised her family in Sandy, and spent the remainder of her life in West Jordan, Utah. From a young age, she delighted in storytelling and performance — often participating in church roadshows, school plays, and community events.

Her heritage included pioneers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including her great-grandparents, President John Taylor, the Church’s third president, and Ruth May Fox, a prominent suffragist and the third General President of the Young Ladies Mutual Improvement Association — a lineage that deeply informed her lifelong devotion to the gospel.

Julia married her eternal companion, Walter James Moore Jr., in the Manti Utah Temple. Together they raised a large and loving family rooted in faith, hard work, music, and service. Walter preceded her in death, along with two of their children, Richard Lance Moore and Marci Ann Grip (Corey).

Julia was known for her quiet strength, boundless compassion, and unwavering sense of duty. A devoted homemaker, she was remarkably frugal and resourceful — sewing most of her children’s clothing, creating new pajamas for them each Christmas, and stretching every dollar to care for her family. She passed on her love of music by teaching her children to play the piano and encouraging them to pursue other instruments. Later in life, she returned to college to earn a degree in music — a personal dream that reflected her lifelong devotion to learning and the arts. She was an avid reader who believed deeply in continual education, and she read countless books throughout her life. Hymns were especially dear to her heart, often filling her home with peace and lifting those around her.

A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Julia served in many callings, including multiple terms as Relief Society President. Later in life, she also served a full-time mission in the South Carolina Columbia Mission, a calling she embraced with grace and dedication.

Her spirit of service extended far beyond her family and church. Once her children were grown, Julia dedicated thousands of hours to humanitarian work. She used nearly every quiet moment to create for others — sewing blankets, quilts, hats, scarves, hygiene kits, reusable feminine products, dolls, and more. These items were lovingly donated to charitable organizations and sent across the globe to those in need. Julia was also a thoughtful and caring friend and neighbor, always ready to lend a hand, share a kind word, or quietly serve those around her in meaningful ways. Her hands were rarely still, and her heart was always focused on giving.

Julia’s legacy is one of resilience, generosity, faith, and love. She is survived by her children:

Laura VaLeen Koester (Wade), Kristy Lynn Crosland (Michael), Paula Jean Thrall (Mark), Amy Moore-Christensen (Dan), John Benjamin Moore (Cristina), Sara Jane Stumm (Robert), Camilla Jo Thornock, Katrina Suzanne Moore, and Devin Patrick Moore (Shea); as well as 30 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren who brought her endless joy and pride.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 21 at 11:00 AM at her ward building located at 4113 West 6200 South, West Jordan, Utah. A visitation will be held on Sunday, July 20 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, and again on Monday, July 21 from 10:00 to 10:45 AM, at the same location. Following the funeral and a family luncheon, interment will take place at 3:00 PM at Larkin Sunset Gardens, located in Sandy, Utah.

To honor Julia’s memory, the family invites you to perform a small act of service in her name — something simple and meaningful, just as she would have done. Share a book, make something by hand, help a neighbor, or offer comfort where it's needed. In these small ways, her spirit continues to bless the world.

Her life was a gift, and her influence will be felt for generations to come.