Judith Rae Fletcher Staples

Judith “Judy” Rae Fletcher Staples, 82, of Salt Lake City and Woodland, Utah, passed away on July 29, 2026, in Salt Lake City.

Born on January 27, 1944, in Concord, New Hampshire, to Charles Thomas Fletcher and Donna Smuin Fletcher. More than anything, Judy loved her family. She was never happier than when her children and grandchildren were all together, especially if there was a vacation involved. As an only child herself, she often reminded her kids that she only wished she had grown up with siblings. She worked hard to keep them close, taught them to forgive one another, and love each other. She developed deep, individual relationships with each of her five children and fifteen grandchildren, somehow always knowing exactly what each one needed. There was never enough time with family for Judy. She never wanted to be left out—if someone was doing something, she wanted to be right there in the middle of it.

Judy was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She had quite the sweet tooth, so she always had treats for her grandkids and loved trips for ice cream, fancy drinks, or just to the bakery.

Judy loved her dogs who were her everyday companions throughout her life.

Believe it or not, Grandma was terrified of the water as a child, even growing up for a time in Gulfport, Mississippi right near the beach. The water then became a big part of her life for recreation and professionally. In her backyard or as the Aquatics Director at South Summit, she went on to teach thousands of people to swim, trained lifeguards and swim instructors, and coached the swim team at South Summit for many years. She carried the passion and love of BYU football, which she inherited from her father. She attended games year after year, including last year’s BYU versus University of Utah, which she declared the greatest of all. We just did not know it would be her last.

Even after several strokes later in life that slowed her speech and made it harder for her to put thoughts into words. The light never dimmed in her beautiful blue eyes. She could still speak volumes with her eyes. Those eyes never stopped saying everything that mattered. Mom never complained about her physical challenges over the last few months as her health was failing her. She kept on sharing her beautiful spirit, her kindness, her light, and her love with all around her.

Judy always found time for others and for serving the Lord. She had a Christlike love for all around her. Judy lived her life as a true disciple of Jesus Christ and was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served in many callings over the years and loved visiting and serving in the House of the Lord. Judy was patient and long-suffering in all that she went through in her mortal life and through it all, she grew a beautiful relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was faithful and true, obedient to God, and fulfilled the full measure of her creation. We know she will be welcomed into Paradise with a joyful reunion by her family and the Lord on the other side.

Judy is survived by her children: Brook R. Staples (Amy), Christian F. Staples (Meghan), Matthew F. Staples (Veronica), Ryan F. Staples (Chelsey), and Natalie A. Iaconis (Philip); and her fifteen grandchildren: Jane, Rhys, Seren, Christian (Hannah), Fletcher, Harrison, Mimi, Rain, Cloud, Kate, Allison, Ashley, Beckett, Jameson, and Alexis.

We will miss you, Mom and Grandma.

A closed casket viewing will be held on Thursday August 13th from 6 to 8 pm and then on Friday from 10 to 10:45. Funeral Services will be held on Friday at 11 am. The viewings and funeral will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 2125 E Evergreen Ave in Millcreek. The internment will take place following the funeral services at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 Highland Drive in Millcreek.