Carolee Larsen Harmon

Carolee Larsen Harmon passed away from complications relating to breast cancer on January 5, 2022, just ten days after the death of her dear husband Robert H. Harmon. She was a beloved wife and mother, a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother, and a true friend. She was creative, enthusiastic, and generous, and her nurturing spirit made her unforgettable to those who knew and loved her.

The first of three children born to Leland Grice and LeOra Clark Larsen, Carolee arrived on a snowy January morning in 1935. She grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, and graduated from East High School where she honed her writing skills which benefited many ward roadshows and family musical productions. While attending the University of Utah, she affiliated with the Chi Omega Sorority and met her beloved husband, Robert Henry Harmon. After their marriage on August 18, 1955, in the Salt Lake Temple, they began their lives together in West Los Angeles, California. Carolee worked as an office nurse for pediatricians while Bob completed his MBA at UCLA. Three of their five children were born in California before they established their permanent residence in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Carolee was compassionate, kind, and loveable. She planned for all her daughters to receive dolls every Christmas as they were growing up and taught her children values, strong character traits, and how to show love and respect for others. She supported her husband, Bob, in his Life Insurance career and helped to create and establish the Utah Life Underwriters Auxiliary. She was very adventurous and loved traveling anywhere. She was involved in community service and made many friends along the way. She loved music, theatre, and the arts, and volunteered for many years with the Utah Symphony/Utah Opera Guild and Docent program. She also served as the Symphony Guild President during 1993 and 1994. Carolee also made life-long friends in her swimming aerobics class at the Jewish Community Center.

Carolee was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints her entire life and loved studying the scriptures and the life of the Savior. She played the organ for M.I.A. when she was in high school, and served as a church service missionary for over 20 years beginning as a hostess at the Beehive House. She and her husband served a full-time Public Affairs mission in the Europe East / Europe West Area from January 1998 to August 1999. After they returned, they were called to help recruit and train other senior missionary couples going on Public Affairs missions for the church all around the world. She served in stake Young Women and Primary presidencies, and as president of ward Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary auxiliaries.

Known for her wonderful homemade caramels which were given to many missionaries and neighbors at Christmastime, Carolee was a superb hostess and loved to entertain, especially hosting the summer Sunday family dinners at their cabin. She was a fine storyteller - and felt any good tale could be improved with a little embellishment! Carolee was cheerful and gracious in adversity, battled cancer for eleven years, and is remembered for her optimism and witty sense of humor. She felt one’s attitude is everything, so it should be chosen wisely.

We will miss her meticulous attention to making a bed, wrapping a present, or setting a table. We will try to use correct grammar, speak Spanish, and continue her legacy of positivity--always emulating her attitude of “The Show Must Go On!”

Carolee is survived by her children David Leland Harmon (Nancy Johnson), Christine Harmon Sheffield (Tyler), Pamela Harmon Hansen (Mark), Jill Harmon Zaharias (Andy), Holly Harmon Webster (Bryan), 17 adored grandchildren, 20 precocious great-grandchildren, with three on the way. She is also survived by siblings Leland Stanford Larsen and Janice Larsen Felix.

Preceded in death by her parents Judge Leland G. and LeOra Clark Larsen, husband Robert H. Harmon, and grandchildren Emily and Eric Hansen.

Funeral services for Robert and Carolee will be at noon on Saturday, January 15, 2022, via zoom, using the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82078956678. Due to current Covid circumstances, no viewing will be held.

Instead of providing flowers, Carolee would like you to hug your loved ones and never pass by a lemonade stand without stopping!