Judith Kay Nelson Naluai

Our beautiful, loving mother passed away at home surrounded by her family Monday morning June 19, 2023, after a three-and-a-half-month battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). Despite her diagnosis, she remained positive, and continued to be an inspiring example and mentor to her family and friends.

She was born on August 22,1945, in Seattle, Washington, to Kathleen Malan and Leland Keith Nelson. She is the big sister of Paul, Richard, and Mark. In her early years, her family moved to Utah and later to California, where she graduated from Monrovia High School in 1963. Mom continued her education, graduating from the University of Hawaii’s College of Nursing with a certificate in Dental Hygiene, and worked her entire career as a dental hygienist.

Mom met dad, Hansel Naluai, at an LDS singles dance while she was attending the University of Hawaii. They were married in the Laie temple and spent the next twenty-six years living in Hawaii raising six children: Tanalei, Kaylani, Keawe, Ku’uiponani, Tiare, and Alika. Mom was actively involved in our education and raised us with quiet, Christlike strength.

Mom and Dad moved our family to Bountiful, Utah, in the summer of 1989 and have lived in Bountiful ever since. They recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary. Mom valued time with family and friends and serving in her church callings. Her favorite hobbies included projects with grandchildren, working on family history, reading, and sewing. She loved musicals, plays, Hallmark mysteries, Rummikub, interior design, and architecture. 

When asked what she is most proud of, Mom said her children, their spouses, and her twenty grandchildren (the 20th grandchild is due in October):

Tanalei - Keana, Kona

Kaylani - Kawika, Kiana

Keawe and Laura - Anela, Kanani, Kekoa, Alaka’i

Ku’uiponani and Peter - David, Leah, Emma, Adam

Tiare and Jonny - Leila, Lucas, Gabriel, baby (due in October)

Alika and Amber - Malia, Kala’i, Kainoa, Nohea

Throughout her life, we have heard many times that Mom is so easy to love, and we absolutely agree. She was always kind, made everyone feel welcome, showed genuine interest in what others were doing, lived her testimony, and led with gentleness and love. We will miss her with all of our hearts, and we take comfort in knowing that we will be together again. 

E māmā i aloha nui ‘ia, a hui hou a hiki i ka wā a kākou e hui pū ai. Aloha nō.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 30, 2023, at the North Canyon Stake Center, 965 Oakwood Drive, Bountiful, Utah.  A viewing will be held Thursday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah and Friday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church prior to services.

Services will be streamed live on Zoom at:  http://zoom.us/j/95670813258