Judy (Beckstead) Jenkins

Friday, April 8, 2022, Judy Beckstead Jenkins slipped from her mortal body into the arms of love. There is no doubt that there are brass ensembles playing in heaven - for there is “Joy in the Morning!” Or as Calvin would remind us all, there is Judy in the morning!

Judy was born on May 22, 1937 to two wonderful parents, Evelyn Crump and Leonard Beckstead, in Riverton, Utah. Her sisters, Joy and Glora, completed her family of origin. Together they quietly served, worked, and helped build the rural town of Riverton. Judy’s love of music and service began in this family, and these loves have run as a foundational life-giving river through her whole life.

Judy and Calvin met on a blind date when they went dancing at Lagoon. That dance led to a wedding date in the Salt Lake temple on Dec. 19, 1958. They worked daily on creating a family of love and laughter, with lots of hard work, and wonderful adventures. Their children, Julie (Rob), David (Sandra), JoEllen (Rand), Jenny (Roger), Cindy (Russ) and Mark (Ofa) as well as her two children that died in childbirth, Janie and Jonathan, all played their roles in creating the Jenkins Clan.

Judy’s love of music began in the 4th grade with her violin. She also played the alto horn and the timpani in her school band and was even the drum major in high school. Judy continued to practice the art of violin playing as a member of several community orchestras, at funerals, weddings, and in church services. Judy wrote, “It has always been one of my goals for our family to enjoy and participate in music together.” She accomplished this with much patience as she helped her children prepare family programs for senior citizen centers, nursing homes, and church activities. Her talents in program preparation and music directing also touched many people’s lives in Primary, Young Womens, Sunday School, and Ward and Stake choirs and orchestras. With the goal to bring musical joy to people that need cheer in their lives, Judy organized and directed a service choir, the Cheery Notes. So many caring and talented sisters in the Valley View Stake gave years of loving musical service singing in this choir. If you knew Judy, you for sure have attended at least one performance that she either performed in or put together.

Her innate compassionate nature for all, created a world that centered around music, performance, hard work, daily practice, and continual reaching out and helping those who needed a hand, a friend, or a song on their journey.

Judy’s compassion also was practiced regularly through her nursing skills. Judy graduated with a bachelors of nursing in1959 from BYU’s Nursing school. She didn’t work long in the field professionally since their family came early, but Judy never stopped using her skills. She, of course, nursed all of her family members, as well as being the first aid merit badge counselor for years!

She had a special gift for helping those who were in the final stages of their earthly journey. If you have lived in the VV7th ward for long, you, no doubt, have witnessed or been the recipient of Judy’s nursing skills. She played this nursing role not only in her community but in her family where she aided her sister Joy through her earthly transition at the young age of 55. She also helped her parents and in-laws as they journeyed forward. Judy has both figuratively and literally so often held the light of love and knowledge as she joined with those on their own hard, sometimes dark journeys. She has been a light bearer in the truest sense of the word.

Judy's testimony of Jesus Christ was seen in her daily life choices. She lovingly served in many leadership & teaching positions in Primary, Young Women’s, Relief Society and Music. She valued relationships and hosted many neighborhood, ward, and family gatherings in her beautifully cared for yard fostering meaningful relationships for all.

As the earthly chapter of her life has come to an end, her legacy will continue to live on daily through the lives of ALL those that she has had the joy of interacting with on her journey. There are so many! Obviously her grandchildren will each be carrying her love forward: Erin, Brinn, Colin, Mitch, Calvin, Liz, Tyler, Alesha, Jackson, Conner, Justin, Jessica, Jordan, Bryten, and Mark as well as all those who have been literally assimilated into Judy’s family like Pilar and Norka, Qin Wei, and most recently, Visi and Lusia who gave such compassionate care for the past 2 years. Thank you to Good Shepherd Hospice for kindness and professionalism in caring for Judy during this pandemic.

If you knew Judy, you have known love, for it literally flowed from her daily. Her son Mark said, “Every positive word in the dictionary put together describes mom!”

There will be a celebration of Judy’s life on Saturday, April 23rd at the Valley View Stake Center. 2245 E 3900 S, SLC. Due to road closures because of the Salt Lake City Marathon, the viewing will now be at 1:30-2:45 pm with services following at 3:00-4:00 pm.

Judy will be buried next to her sweet husband Calvin and her granddaughter Jessica at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 S Highland Dr, Millcreek, following the service.