Judith Ella (Doney) Empey

Judith Ella Doney Empey, 82, passed away on August 29, 2023, in Las Vegas, NV, from complications brought on by Alzheimer’s and dementia. She was attended by family at the time of her passing and will be greatly missed.

Judy was born on Tuesday, November 19, 1940, to Loris Doney and Jean Elrose Hoppe, in Livingston, Mt. She was the eldest of 5 children and was raised by her grandparents, Paul and Elsie Hoppe, in Jardine and Gardiner, MT. She attended Gardiner High School where she earned her letter in cheer. Judy met her husband Lonnie at the age of 15 while he was on leave from the USN Bootcamp. They were married on December 21, 1958, in Ravailie, MT, when Judy was 17 and Lonnie was 19. They raised 5 children together, sometimes spending years apart while Lonnie was serving in the military. Family was of the greatest importance to Judy; only her husband came before their children. She spent many hours honing her skills as a homemaker, recovering, refurbishing, remaking, and remodeling, to make their home as beautiful as she could. She became a prolific cook and baker and kept a clean and healthy home for her family. She also became a talented seamstress, making her own clothing, clothing for her children and grandchildren, even learning how to make suits and jeans for Lonnie and her boys. Judy learned how to crochet and made many lovely afghans. She used her crochet talent spending long hours crocheting specialty leprosy bandages for donation and beanies for premature infants. She played the guitar, arranged flowers, decorated cakes, made jewelry, and sang in many choirs. After Lonnie passed away, Judy got into advanced coloring books. She took time with each page, starting at the beginning of a book and working her way through to the end, making each page as perfect as possible, even as advancing dementia took away her ability.

Judy joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1963 while Lonnie was serving in Vietnam. She developed a love for the Savior and a lifelong devotion to scripture study. She had many callings in the church and served several times in the women’s organization (Relief Society), the youth organization (MIA), and as an early morning religious class teacher (Seminary). Judy’s life was centered around having an eternal family, ensuring that all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren knew that she loved them.

Judy is survived by her children, Lori-Jean (Larry) Owen, Lonnie Richard (Jayne) Empey, Bret Duane (Tammy) Empey, Craig Carl (Cindy) Empey, and Doni-Kae (Terry) Chadwick, twenty grandchildren, and thirty-eight great-grandchildren with one on the way, siblings, Dennis, Bill, Darnel, and Ken. She was preceded in death by her beloved companion, Lonnie Carl Empey, grandparents Paul and Elsie Hoppe, and parents Jean and Loris Doney.

The Viewing will be held on Friday, September 8, 2023, from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Hinkley Chapel, Logandale, NV, followed by the Funeral Service at 11:00 AM. Graveside services will follow at the Logandale Cemetery. The family invites friends and family to leave a message or memory in their Guest Book at www.moapavalleymortuary.com.

In the embrace of her family and the love of her faith, Judy leaves behind a legacy of love, devotion, and creativity that will forever warm the hearts of those who knew her. She will be deeply missed but always cherished in our memories.