Dr. Judy Ann Buffmire died peacefully on May 28th in Portland Oregon, where she had moved in 2009 to be with her daughter, son-in-law and two of her grandchildren. Dr. Buffmire, better known just as Judy was dedicated to her family, friends and to the state of Utah. Born June 5, 1929, to Bill Broyles and Audrey Francis Cook she cherished her childhood growing up in and around Carbon County. She graduated from Wasatch Academy in 1947 and the next year married the love of her life, Lamar Lee Buffmire. Turning 30 and with her two daughters in school, Judy enrolled at the University of Utah and received her undergraduate degree in 1966, her Masters degree in 1967 and her Ph.D. in Psychology in 1969. Judy became the Director of the Rocky Mountain Regional Resource Center for Special Education at the University of Utah and then an administrator in the Utah Department of Social Services. She was instrumental in creating the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation under the Utah State Board of Education and became its first executive director. In honor of her service the Judy Ann Buffmire Rehabilitation Service Center in Salt Lake City was dedicated on September 16, 1999. Judy served as president of the Utah Psychological Association from 1999-2000 as well as maintained a private practice during her entire career. Elected in 1992 Judy served six terms as a Democrat in the Utah House of Representatives where she provided compassionate leadership and celebrated many legislative accomplishments. Judy received many prestigious honors during her remarkable career. A few highlighted awards as examples of her achievement include the Karl F. Heiser National Award for Advocacy, American Psychological Association 1999; Distinguished Legislator of the Year Award, Utah Medical Association 1999; National Legislator of the Year Award, National Association of Social Workers 2000; Presidential Citation, American Psychological Association 2000; Continuing Hero on the Hill, Coalition of People with Disabilities 2001; Norman S. Anderson Award for Distinguished Service 2001; National Alliance on Mental Illness "Judy Buffmire Award" 2002; and Lifetime Achievement Award, Utah Psychological Association 2009. Judy was preceded in death by her husband, Lamar Lee Buffmire, in 2004 and her dear, dear daughter Shanna Lee Buffmire Harris in 1999. Judy is survived by daughter and son-in-law Kathryn and Matthew Labadie, her son-in-law Ken Harris, grandchildren Ben and Jessica Harris, grandson and his wife Amani and Jules Reed and great grandson Taye Kumani Reed, sister-in-law Vera Parmley, eight nieces and nephews and their families, many dear cousins and a wide range of caring and dedicated friends. A celebration of life will be held in Salt Lake City at a later date.
Published in the Deseret News on June 5, 2011.

A Celebration of Life will be held in honor of Dr. Judy Ann Buffmire, August 27, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. in the Utah State Capitol Building Rotunda. Family, friends and colleagues are invited to join us in celebrating this remarkable woman and her significant contributions to the citizens of Utah.
Published in the Deseret News from August 14 to August 21, 2011.