Carolyn Taylor Harmon moved ahead into the spirit world early on February 6, 2014. She was born in Salt Lake City on August 16, 1942, to FaNon Clawson and Frank William Taylor, and lived in the area all her life. She studied piano and violin as a child, went to EastHigh School, and graduated from the University of Utah in music education. Carolyn taught elementary instrumental and general music in the Salt Lake CitySchool District for 36 years. The Utah Music Educators Association named her its Outstanding Elementary Music Educator of the Year in 2000.
Carolyn played viola in the Mormon Youth Symphony from its first rehearsal until being released due to age. Then she sang in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir from late 1975 until 1996. She loved foreign languages and greatly enjoyed the choir tours to Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia-New Zealand. After retiring from the choir she was invited to rejoin the Mormon Symphony and played with them until their final rehearsal and concert. From 2001 until her death, she was the secretary of the Emeritus Ladies of the Tabernacle Choir.
A faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served in various teaching positions and almost every ward and stake music assignment possible. She was a Temple Ordinance Worker, and played the organ in the SaltLakeTemple for over 10 years.
Next to music, Carolyn's life long passion was family history research. She enabled the performance of Temple ordinances for thousands of her ancestors and their families from the Eastern United States, England, Wales, Denmark, and Sweden. Her love for them knew no bounds and in the depths of her illness she still attended to their needs.
Carolyn married Lawrence M. Harmon in the SaltLakeTemple on June 23, 1986. She "adopted" his two children and became a most loving and generous grandmother to seven grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother William Frank Taylor, and step-sister Elizabeth Dutson Gee. She is survived by her husband, step-mother Lucy Dutson Taylor, sister-in-law Jane Taylor of Los Altos, CA, step-brother Keith Dutson (Phyllis) of Farmington, step-son Joseph (Kathleen) of Lehi, step-daughter Jennifer Pollei (Mark) of Orem, seven grandchildren, and nine nieces and nephews and their children. Carolyn loved her family.
Carolyn's greatest character trait was loyalty. She was loyal to God, her church, her family, her friends, her school, and the various organizations she belonged to. It was said that she remained in contact with everyone she ever met.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Wednesday, February 12, at the OlympusStakeCenter, 2700 East and 4500 South in Holladay. Friends may call at the Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, on Tuesday from 6 ‚ 8 pm, and at the church on Wednesday morning 9:30 ‚ 11:30 am. Burial will be at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South. Online condolences may be made at www.larkincares.com
