Judith May Jewkes DalPonte

Bountiful, Utah) Judith May Jewkes DalPonte died on November 22, 2023. She was born May 27, 1938 in Price, Utah the first of two children born to Catherine Alice Peirce and Movell Jewkes. She graduated from Carbon High School in 1956. She attended Carbon Junior College (College of Eastern Utah), University of Utah, Tyler Junior College (Tyler, Texas), Trenton State College (Trenton, New Jersey), and Rider College (Princeton, New Jersey). She completed her A.A. magna cum laude degree (Music) at Tyler Junior College in 1973 and her B.A. cum laude degree (Fine Arts-Piano) at Rider College in 1976. Judy worked at some of these colleges and universities to fund her education. She later worked in the insurance industry and retired from Equitable Life and Casualty Insurance Co. in 2006.

She married Robert James DalPonte on February 14, 1957 in Price, Utah (divorced in 1995). They are parents of four daughters. During the marriage the family relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio; Syracuse, New York; Phoenix, Arizona; Richland, Washington; Tyler, Texas; Morrisville, Pennsylvania; Monroe, Connecticut; Layton, Utah; Acton, Massachusettes; Rockford, Illinois; and Bountiful, Utah. Judy was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings at these locations. She especially enjoyed helping the children sing.

She is survived by her brother, Robert Floyd Jewkes (Linda), Lake Havasu, Arizona, and four daughters: Ann Spraw, Clearfield, Utah; Susanna (Sue) DalPonte (Walter Miller), Lebanon, Connecticut; Diane (Dee) DalPonte (Andrew Wright), Salt Lake City, Utah; and Joanna (Joni) Nielsen (David), Eagle, Idaho; and six grandsons, two granddaughters, two "bonus granddaughters", five great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

In 2001 Judy's life became focused on assisting in the care of her youngest granddaughter, Kaya Shay Jones, when her son-in-law, David Jay Jones, died in a traffic accident three weeks before Kaya's birth. Kaya and her stepsisters, Kyna and Sena Wright, brought a special joy into Judy's life.

Judy cherished her close personal relationships with both family and friends. She communicated love through her writing, music and countless acts of service, seeking to teach, counsel and encourage her loved ones in a thoughtful, personal way. These efforts resulted in countless letters, poems and musings, as she was a prolific writer and had a distinctive cursive script. She noticed the beauty around her and enjoyed sharing her perspective on life. Her love of music and her skill on the piano provided a natural outlet for self expression, including those deeper emotions related to her faith.

Judy was very much a cat person, with Toby being her most recent feline companion who stayed by her side to the end.

A small graveside service for family will be held Saturday, December 2 at Farmington City Cemetery. Arrangements are being coordinated by Russon Mortuary in Bountiful. The family appreciates those whose care and friendship were so meaningful to Judy, especially in recent years when she required more assistance. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to CAWS-Community Animal Welfare Society or a charity of your choice in her honor.