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Carma (Smith) Summerhays, age 82, passed away with her loving husband by her side. She died of illness incident to age at her home in Draper, Utah, on Saturday, August 21, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. Carma was born May 26, 1939, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the daughter of Joseph Matt Smith and Blodwin (Thomas) Smith.
Carma was a firm believer in God and Jesus Christ and was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age eight. She grew up in the Salt Lake City area and attended Olympus High School. Carma married her high school sweetheart, Dennis Clare Summerhays, on July 30, 1955, and together they recently celebrated 66 delightful years of marriage. Carma’s love for her husband and devotion to him and their marriage was her greatest joy, priority, and a great inspiration to their children. Together they had four children, twelve grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. Carma loved her children and grandchildren so very much and was proud of all of their accomplishments. As a young mother, Carma joined in family activities playing tennis, water skiing, snow skiing, and ice skating on the homemade rink. As a family, they spent many week-long trips at Lake Powell, making wonderful memories. She camped and fished even though she didn’t particularly like fishing. Carma was an excellent cook whose love of cooking and great food was the inspiration for two restaurants. As the world’s most devoted ironer, she and her husband always sported pressed clothing. Carma had an exquisite sense of clothing style and dressed perfectly for every occasion. Her home also shows her touch of elegant decorating. Carma had a great love of country and cherished our freedom. Patriotic songs echoed through her house, and flags adorned her yard every Fourth of July. She was an accomplished vocalist and pianist. Carma played by ear and had perfect pitch. In her youth, as a pianist, she had the opportunity, on a few occasions, to accompany the youth symphony in Salt Lake City under the direction of Maurice Abravanel.
After raising their children, Carma and Dennis joined the Hidden Valley Country Club as lifetime members and enjoyed golfing, making friends, and creating cherished memories. In 1993, Carma was president of the Ladies’ Golf Association at Hidden Valley. While many golfers never make a hole in one, Carma achieved four. Carma and Dennis mastered greenhouse gardening, growing thousands of vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
Carma and Denny loved to travel the western U.S. and spent many winters in Hawaii. They enjoyed similar interests such as music, architecture, sampling new foods, and cooking together. Mostly, they enjoyed and loved each other. Theirs was a storybook love that continues beyond Carma’s mortal life. Dennis, her adoring and devoted husband, dedicated his life to loving and caring for Carma. He was the sweetest caregiver, attending to her every need.
In addition to her parents, Joe and Blodwin, Carma was preceded in death by her stepmother Ruby (Leak) Smith, Salt Lake City, and grandson, John Charles Haddock, Missoula, Montana.
Surviving Carma is her high-school sweetheart and husband Dennis Clare Summerhays, Draper, Utah; brother Joseph LaMont Smith and wife Caroline, Murray; son Dennis Lane Summerhays and Karen Summerhays, Salt Lake City; daughter Pam (Summerhays) Hampton and husband Scott, Kaysville; son Neil Britt Summerhays and wife Laurie, Draper; son Brad Mark Summerhays and fiancé Amy Neuberger, Sandy; granddaughter Jessica Price and husband Mark, Salt Lake City; grandson, Devin Douglas Summerhays and wife Kara, Salt Lake City; granddaughter Gabriella Samantha Summerhays, Salt Lake City; granddaughter Samantha Jade Summerhays, Salt Lake City; granddaughter Ashley Jean (Hampton) and husband William Buckley Bailey, Park City; grandson Tyler Dean Hampton, Cottonwood Heights; granddaughter Brooke Elle (Hampton) and husband, Matthew Fortin, Kaysville; granddaughter Julia Savannah Hampton, Orem; granddaughter Laura (Haddock) Harsh, husband Jamie, Murray; grandson Kevin Thomas Smith and wife Tracy, Herriman; and granddaughter Ashley (Smith) Street and husband Jerry, Eagle Mountain, and ten great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road in Sandy, Utah. A viewing will be held Friday evening, August 27, 2021 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., as well as Saturday prior to the services beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary.
We will miss Carma's smile and love of her children. Her style and love of life and her example of a happy marriage. Mostly she will be missed for her sweet quite spirit. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren will deeply miss her.
I was always delighted when I was paired with Carma to play golf. She was a skilled golfer and I had the joy and privilege of playing with her when she got one of her hole in ones (Lakes #2 at Hidden Valley).
She was bright, funny and a delight to be with.
God Bless you Carma!!! May you enjoy all the sunshine and happiness Heaven has to offer! You are so loved and missed! My earliest memories of my youth are of your kindness and generosity! Our family loved to be with you, and experience so many wonderful times and memories of you and your family! Though we weren’t together too often, it was always special when we were! Thank you! We will meet again dear sweet lady!!!! All our love to you and your family! Though we are parted, we are never far away! Henceforth is laid up for you a crown of righteousness! I know my Mom was there to welcome a dear friend!
All our love,
Jason and Teresa Heaps
What an amazing lady! She sounds like she accomplished so many things in her life and lived and loved to the fullest extent!! I hope that your memories of her and your lives growing up will bring you peace and comfort until you see her again.
Jeri Lundskog
Dear Dennie and Family,
We send our love and condolences on the passing of Carma. Our prayers and thoughts go out to you.
May her sweet memories bring you comfort in your time of grief and may our Lord Jesus Chris provide peace and hope during this difficult time.
Love, Carey, Roseann (Lois Summerhays' daughter), Alexa Hnath
Aunt Carma was so gracious and kind. She always opened her home for large family gatherings and I have so many fond childhood memories of playing with cousins there. She was strikingly beautiful too. As a child she seemed almost like a movie star to me. I am so sorry for your loss!
I send my condolences to the Joe Smith family. As the youngest grandchild of George and Mae Smith, I spent many happy hours at the Smith Family Parties when I was younger. Never have I found another family as tightly knitted as the Smiths. Carma was a few years older than me, but she always took the time to see that I was having a great time at these parties. I know she is in loving arms now, free from pain and discomfort. I can almost hear her dad's laugh as he embraces his little girl again. Rest well Carma, and I will see you at the Smith Family party in heaven on day.
Denny and family, I am so sorry to hear of Carma's death. She was a classy gal and very sweet. May you feel the Savior's peace and comfort.
Dennis and Family—
My condolences to you all. Carma was a wonderful person and always treated me with kindness, patience, and love. May peace be with you all.
Tom
She was my cherished and best friend. I will miss her terribly. We shared so many good times as couples , we shared girlfriend talk and always our birthdays. I didn’t see the obituary until Sunday. I’m so sorry I miss the funeral. I wish her beautiful angel wings and my deepest love
Sending our deepest condolences to you and your family Brad and Neil. I know our mothers enjoyed golfing, Ladies day, cooking and fashion. Your mom always smiled and laughed a lot which is a nice memory. Denny too. Both enjoyed an active life and leave a legacy in Draper. May the peace of Christ be with you today and always. Sincerely, Paula M.
Carma was such a wonderful person and I have great memories of all the times at the Summerhays home. You were a lucky person if you spent time at the family pool, asked to stay for one of Carma's home-cooked dinners, or included on a Summerhays boating or hunting trip. Carma (and Denny) always made you feel like one of the family.
Denny, and Lane, Pam, Neil, Brad ... wishing you peace and comfort at this time and all the days ahead.
Denny and family. So sorry for your loss. It's been a number of years since the "old gang" was in touch. But I remember Carma well from the days of the Wardley Real Estate office and her visits. She had a great sense of humor and was always fun and gracious. You and your family have my deepest sympathy! Best regards, 'your old secretary' Sandy Redding.