Judith Emily Champlin passed away peacefully on March 20, 2022, surrounded by her loving family and her wonderful, ICU healthcare givers at Utah Valley Hospital in Provo Utah.

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Judy was known for her unselfish and beautiful heart, big smile, positive attitude and dozens of sayings that she used on a daily basis. A few of her favorites were, "Hope for the best and forget about the rest" and "Worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but it doesn't get you anywhere." ~Erma Bombeck. Her amazing attitude played a huge part in her recovery from breast cancer, liver cancer and many other serious health issues.

She was born on October 8, 1941 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Leo and Virginia (Caldwell) Thomas. She was one of seven children.

She grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah and attended West Hight School where she met and then married Robert M. Fesko in 1959. Together they had 4 children and later divorced.

Later in life, she met John Paul Champlin and they married in 1984. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple before his passing in 2007. This was a very special day for Mom as the LDS church was a very important part of her life. Before John passed they enjoyed living in Salt Lake City, St. George, Utah and Oregon.

Her favorite things in life were spending time with her family and friends from her childhood, Janet, Joan, JoDean, Carol and Dian. She also had many friends where she lived at The Gardens Senior Apartments. Because most of her grand kids live out of state, she would get so excited to see them when they were in town. She was so very proud of her children and grandchildren; Nic Francis and his girlfriend, Emily Titmus (Utah), Jake Fesko (Colorado) and Brittnee Penman (Arizona) as well as her two great granddaughters; Amaia Kelly and Blayke Hutchinson (Arizona). She also loved her great granddog, Gobert who watched over her day and night for the last 2 years. She enjoyed playing many card games, dominos and doing word searches and Suduko. She also loved volunteering at Hope for the best and forget about the rest. the Jordan River Temple with her best friend, Jolyn Peck. Her favorite food was anything with sugar in it! Surprisingly, she was able to manage her diabetes for many years, even with this frowned upon addiction.

She was preceded in death by her first child, Michael Allen Fesko, her parents, two brothers, Leo Thomas and Joe Thomas, her two sisters, Maureen Duarte and Jeri White, her sister in law, Diane Fesko Simsich and her husband, John Champlin.

She is survived by her three children, Julie (Darren) Penman, Robert K. Fesko, Debra (Chance) Kiggins, her grandchildren and great granddaughters, her sisters, Karen Johnson and Bonnie Thomas, brothers, Fred Thomas and Sisters in law, Marianne Champlin and Dell Champlin who were more like sisters than in laws to her.

We would like to offer our heart felt thanks to all of mom's amazing IHC doctors and nurses at Provo and Spanish Fork Hospitals. Especially, her family nurse practitioner, Jeanette L. Walker who went above and beyond to give mom the care she needed. We don't know what we would have done without her!

If mom could, she would mention every single person that she knew and have a story to tell about them. Thank you to everyone who touched her life. She loved you all!

Services

Celebration of Life

Saturday, Apr. 23, 2022 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
South Jordan Community Center
10778 S. Redwood Road
South Jordan, UT 84095

Life Story Info

Author

Julie Fesko Penman

Post Date

Apr 02, 2022

Contribute

“In lieu of flowers...”

www.unicef.org

Personal Info

Born

Salt Lake City,, Utah, United States

Died

Provo City, Utah, United States

Age

80

Gender

Female

Religion and Beliefs

LDS

Worked For

  • JC Penny's
  • Sperry Univac, Unisys
  • Workers Compensation Fund of Utah

Education

  • High School
    West High School, Utah
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Guestbook

Rest In Peace, Judy. Your sweet smile and sweet spirit will me sorely missed. Carrie J.

Carrie Jamison , Riverton, UT, US Apr 23, 2022

Judy was a wonderful, kind, and loving soul. She managed to smile and laugh in bad times as well as good. Knowing her was a gift to all of us.

Dell Champlin , Las Vegas, NV, US Apr 06, 2022

Chicken,

You and Marianne knew her better than most. She absolutely adored you and thought of you as blood sisters. Thank you for sharing your memories in her guestbook.

Julie Penman Apr 07, 2022

Judy was a special lady and will be greatly missed by everyone that was a part of her life. Rest in Peace Judy, XOXO

Lin Whitlock Apr 03, 2022

Lin,

Thank you so much for signing Mom's guestbook, I'm sure she read this. She always asked about you. We're touched by your love and kindness.

Julie Penman Apr 07, 2022

Timeline


  • 2010
  • 2019