Judy Chantry

Judy Chantry, age 85, passed away April 16, 2026, after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

Judy was born December 29, 1940, in Sacramento, California, to Joseph and Elsie Jones. She was the youngest of seven children. When she was 11 years old, her mother passed away unexpectedly, and at age 16 she moved to Spanish Fork, Utah, to live with her brother Dean. She attended Spanish Fork high school and shared many fond memories she had while there.

When she was 18, she married her first husband, Larry; they later divorced. She had five children with Larry and always said she would never change a thing because she loved her children dearly. After her second child, Blaine died tragically four days before his sixth birthday, Judy and her three living children (and one on the way) moved to California to be close to her sister Janet. They lived there for only a few months before moving back to Utah.

About two years later, she met and married her second husband, Randy; they later divorced. Together, they had one more child. They moved to Riverton, Utah, where the family made many good friends and great memories.

Ten years after her second divorce, she met and married her sweetheart, Gene. They eventually moved to Manti, Utah, where they lived for 23 years. Judy and Gene opened Kopy Katz Printing and ran a successful business for 10 years. She made many good friends and acquaintances.

After selling Kopy Katz at age 80 she still didn't retire. She went to work at the Manti Library, which was fitting because she loved to read. After a while, she learned of a need for a crossing guard at Manti Elementary. She loved children, and this was right up her alley. She would decorate and dress up for the holidays and was even mentioned in the local newspaper. Many said they would drive by just to see her, as she always waved to passersby.

After living in Manti for 23 years, she moved to Payson to live with her son and daughter-in-law after Gene died. There she served as a Relief Society teacher and volunteered at the Peteetneet Museum. She was always happy to help where she could.

Judy loved many things, including music, reading, crocheting, volunteering, and acting in local plays. She was part of a square dancing group, sang with the Sweet Adelines, and was a member of the literary club, the Children’s Justice Center, and the Red Hat Society. She held many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but she loved serving in Primary the most, where she was the chorister for many years. She loved her Primary children, and they all loved her. But the thing she loved most was spending time with her whole family.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers and two sisters; her son, Blaine; her son-in-law, Doug; and her husband, Gene. She is survived by her children: Laura (Kenny) Crump of Riverton; Angie (Joe) Bleazard of Manti; Keith (Becky) Murphy of Payson; Chris (Carolanne) Murphy of Cedar Fort; and Janet Murphy of Goose Creek, South Carolina; 17 grandchildren; and 18½ great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the Manti 5th Ward building, 300 South Main Street in Manti. Friends and family may visit Wednesday, April 22, from 6:00–8:00 PM, and prior to the services from 10:00–10:45 AM.