Carol Hepworth Gill

Carol Hepworth Gill

May 15, 1947 – May 3, 2026

Carol Hepworth Gill died at her home in Holladay on May 3, 2026 in the arms of her husband and daughter. Carol was born May 15, 1947 in Salt Lake City, the fifth child and only daughter of Ezra and Selma Hansen Hepworth. Being 13 years younger than her closest brother and attended to by her maternal grandmother while both parents worked, she quickly asserted herself as an independent spirit in this world; she maintained that independence to her final breath.

By the age of four her mother was teaching her to play piano; she continued her studies through high school. By college she was playing for staff presentations at Bryce Canyon Lodge, while also falling in love with Utah’s Red Rock.

Carol attended Uintah Elementary, Clayton Junior High and East High in Salt Lake City. Her close friends from school remained friends for life. She also began working in high school and worked throughout college and graduate school. Majoring in English with a Spanish minor, she also managed to spend a quarter studying in Mexico which gave her fluency and a love of exploring new cultures and people. She maintained that adventuresome spirit throughout life; when her health finally grounded her, she still reviewed old trips and watched Rick Steves religiously.

Carol shifted from English to Elementary Special Education for her Masters and began her teaching career at Midvale Elementary, where she taught for 5 years, quitting only to raise a family.

Carol met her future husband in her junior year at the U of U as they both walked out on a particularly boring Ed Psych lecture in 1968. Greg was “smitten” instantly: he proposed while he was in Army AIT and they were married in 1969 while he was on Christmas leave. When he was discharged, they both worked on their Masters and graduated together in 1971.

In 1974 the couple moved to Sandy where their son Michael was born. Carol balanced teaching, gardening, canning, various arts and crafts while still managing a young family. In 1977 they moved to Holladay where they remained until her death. Daughter Gina was born in 1978, possessing the same independent streak she apparently inherited from her mother.

While Greg taught Jr. High English, Carol continued developing skills and talents while still finding time to teach her children to read before they entered elementary school. She mastered numerous crafts and was active with her daughter and friends in Girl Scouts.

She joined South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society which introduced her to numerous delightful people and an expanding range of ideas and adventures. She was active in both musical and instructional activities, eventually becoming Director of Religious Education. This diverse group of people became her closest group of friends, providing some epic adventures, outings, dinners and comradery. Her children thrived in the open intellectual environment the church provided, gaining an expanded world view in the process.

Carol tolerated the numerous interruptions from her husband’s involvement with the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue unit, developing close relationships with several other “Rescue Widows.” She was forgivingly tolerant of interrupted dinners, gatherings and midnight sleeping; her independence served her well in this.

Throughout her life, Carol embraced travel and learned to be creative in planning “road trips” for the family. She would plan and execute memorable journeys that are still talked about today. Soon came the notorious “Girls’ Weekends” at the condo in St. George – the red rock was never really washed from boots and cars.

After her husband retired, the pair began long sojourns across the US, Canada to Mexico and coast-to-coast. Later, Europe beckoned, leading to numerous cruises and river trips, some with just her husband and some with close friends. Sadly, she had to cancel her next trip when health would not permit.

Carol was a fierce advocate for her children. Michael proved to be a challenge throughout, but she patiently supported him through the challenges he faced. When he was injured and on life support, she made the agonizing decision to discontinue treatment, honoring his previously stated wishes. Her inner-strength and her close friends sustained her through this. Those same friends again supported her through her final illness, and when she chose to enter hospice they were there for her until the end.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Don, Dean, Keith and Cloyd and son Michael. She is survived by her husband, daughter Gina Ross (Jeremiah), grandchildren Miriam and Rowan Ross, and numerous close friends, too many to mention but she loved you all.

Carol chose cremation; friends will gather later this year to remember and laugh, just as we have many, many times before. She lives on in all the lives she touched and would want you to embrace her favorite motto: “Whatever you do, be certain it is necessary, truthful and kind!” And spread JOY!