Carol Madeline Lopan Goddard

Our loving Mom passed away on January 11, 2025 at a family home after a brief illness, surrounded by her family. Carol was born May 23, 1938 in Hiawatha, Utah to Ida Laverne Benedict and John Charles Lopan. She spent much of her youth in Helper, Utah, before being one of the early residents of the newly formed town of Kearns with her mother and step-dad Leo “Dick” Robinson. She attended South High (Class of 56) driving in each day through the fields to Salt Lake City. It was at South High she excelled at “home making” and won awards in baking and sewing. She attended the University of Utah and completed many business courses, while also working full-time at Mountain Fuel Supply Company.

In 1959 she married Allen Glazier, and with her gained education helped to run their cafe while maintaining her current job. They both became members of the Salt Lake Corvette Club, where she won multiple racing trophies. After a few years, Carol and Allen had their first son Greg, and a year later a second son Steve. They enjoyed traveling and camping as a family. Carol and Allen were later divorced in 1966. Carol, always fiercely independent through her life, started a new career to help support her two young sons. At Educators Mutual Insurance she was a claims adjudicator and dedicated herself until retiring in 1988.

In 1968 Carol married Earl Frank Nelson of Moroni, Utah. They were very happy and Frank’s passion of being a car enthusiast and restoring older cars was a common interest. In 1969 Carol and Frank bought their first house in Cottonwood Heights, which Carol owned until 2017. Establishing a happy life together and after only two years of marriage, Frank was tragically killed on April 11, 1970, at Magna Kennecott Copper Mines in a rock-crusher accident. Though devastated, Carol faced this heartbreaking loss with remarkable strength, determined to put on the best face possible for her sons. She increased her work load so her sons would have what they needed, and during the non-school summer months with the help of her niece Earlene, made sure her sons’ alone time was minimized. For many years after Frank’s death, Carol and her sons took regular weekend trips to Frank’s parents’ home in Moroni to comfort them with the loss of their son, and give a supportive family connection for all. Always doing for others. At this time Carol also introduced her sons to various sports and activities to not only spend more time together, but also to create common interests for their lifetimes.

In 1977 Carol married Harold “Sam” Goddard. Some of the things they enjoyed together were tailgating and attending Utah football games, bowling the Ritz Classic Pony Express League, golfing, camping, and traveling. They later divorced in 1985.

There was no doubt that Carol’s favorite activity was golf. She was a member of the Meadowbrook Ladies’ Golf Association during four different decades. She played every Tuesday morning during each season, many Fridays on the Meadowbrook Ladies’ Golf Team, and other days during the week with friends. She even got her mom Ida to join the Meadowbrook Ladies as well. She had countless friends at Meadowbrook and at other courses, as she golfed many of the UGA tournaments from Ogden to St. George. In her prime she was renowned for her long drives, even though she stood only 5’3” tall. She was Meadowbrook Club Champion in 1989 and 1991, of which she was very proud of. She would have been club champion one other time, but she called a two- shot penalty on herself towards the end of the match which lost her the title by one shot. Her competitor told her not to take the penalty as it did not advantage her, but she always believed in fairness and integrity, and playing by the rules.

In 1989 she became Grandma for the first time. Her three granddaughters, Sara and Jena and Becca, were her pride and joy. They remember how she treated all of them as special individuals unto themselves. She would have special days for each of them. Taking them shopping individually for school clothes or to do Christmas shopping for their own presents for family members. This was always followed by going out to a special lunch together. They also have fond memories of going over to play at her house and her making them scrambled egg sandwiches, or showing them how to bake some of her special recipes. They will miss her immeasurably. Although the time was brief, she did get to be Great- Grandma. She cherished every moment with Liam, and he loved pulling at her fingers and looking into her eyes with wonder.

Many of her last years were living independently at Highland Cove Retirement Center. We want to thank Highland Cove for providing the security she felt there at her apartment, and special thanks to the friendly dining staff that she saw daily. Also thank you to Inspiration Home Health & Hospice for their staffs’ help the last week of Carol’s life.

Carol is survived by Sons, Greg Glazier, and Steve Glazier (Kentrell Charles); Granddaughters, Sara Glazier Frojen (Tom), Jena Glazier (Eric Anderson), and Becca Glazier; Great-Grandson, Liam Anderson; Half-Siblings, Max Lopan, Larry Lopan, Willie Lopan, and Rheta Lopan Swank.

To honor Carol a short service will be held on her birthday, May 23, 2025, at 2:00pm at Larkins Sunset Garden (1950 E. 10600 S., Sandy). All friends and family members are invited to attend. A celebration-of-life luncheon will commence afterwards at a nearby family home.

We will all miss her. Always.