Carolyn Mabel Gustaveson Blake

On Christmas Morning, December 25, 2024, Carolyn Mabel Gustaveson Blake, our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister completed her mission on this earth and returned to her heavenly home. She was greeted by her dear husband Larry Walter Blake who had predeceased her 21 years ago. She was also predeceased by her mother and father, sister Ruth and many other relatives who she knew and loved through her dedication to family history work. We are sure that there was a joyful reunion on the other side.

Carolyn was born in Los Angeles, California to Rhea May Wootton and Charles Irvine Gustaveson. She was a much prayed for gift and was the only child for seven years until her 3 little sisters, Ruth, Cheryl and Robin joined them. The family moved to Long Beach California where they lived during World War II. She often spoke of what it was like when the fleet came in with sailors as far as the eye could see filling the whole street in downtown Long Beach. There were many drills at school and regular blackouts because of the local naval base. Her father worked for Douglas Aircraft and they had to camouflage their whole operation.

The family moved to northern California because of a change of employment for her father and they settled on the island of Alameda in the San Francisco Bay. She left home for a period of time to attend Brigham Young University in Utah where she studied Home Economics. When she went back to Alameda she became a Stake Missionary. It was in Alameda that she met Larry Blake who was stationed there in the Marines. They met at church and after a whirlwind romance they were married in the Salt Lake Temple in Utah. After completing his service, they settled in Salt Lake City where Larry resumed his studies at the University of Utah. Other than a short time in Brigham City, they lived in Salt Lake City for the rest of their lives. They raised six children who have followed their example, married in the Salt Lake Temple and raised their children following this legacy.

She was a devoted mother to her six children. She is loved by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her life was her family; current, past and future and that is where she spent her time.

Carolyn was a lifelong and devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was in the Stake Young Women’s Presidency and a Ward Primary President along with many other callings and service to others. The legacy of her and Larry living faithfully in the gospel has blessed her children and grandchildren and will bless many generations to come. The blessings of the gospel were precious to her and she was devoted to teaching and sharing these blessings with her posterity.

She was a tour guide in the LDS Church Office Building which she really enjoyed. She has always had a love of the beach and the ocean where she went regularly with her family which continued throughout her life. She enjoyed hosting family dinners and always very much enjoyed family visits. She lovingly cared for her husband Larry for 15 years while he was ill.

Genealogy and family history work was her passion. She became the go-between between generations. She felt that she had a special responsibility to do this work. Every relative that she could get information from was approached and records and pictures obtained or copied. She said she used to wonder how our ancestors could love us so much when they hadn’t lived with us. But when her first grandchild was born, she knew, because she loved this baby before she had even met her.

She is survived by her sisters Cheryl Ferris (Pleasant Hill, California) and Robin Ashton (Oxnard, California) and children Cynthia Barton (Edward) Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, David (Karen) Alpine, Utah, Stephen (Lori) Sandy, Utah, Richard (Rebecca) West Jordan, Utah, Michael (Catherine) Holladay, Utah, and Gregory (Merritt) Irvine, California.  

Carolyn is survived by 27 grandchildren. (Cynthia) Elizabeth Barton Jenson, Michael Barton, Robert Barton, David Barton, Andrew Barton, and Benjamin Barton. (David) Lara Blake Layton, David Blake, Daniel Blake, Taylor Blake, and Megan Blake Blake. (Stephen) Joshua Rich, Ashley Blake Hatch, and Matthew Blake. (Richard) Brian Blake, Mathew Blake, James Blake, Benjamin Blake, and Sarah Blake. (Michael) Jonathan Blake, Thomas Blake, Jacob Blake, and Nicholas Blake. (Gregory) Joseph Blake, Samantha Blake, Katherine Blake, and Daniel Blake. She is predeceased by grandson John Gregory Barton. She also has 34 great-grandchildren.

There will be a visitation for friends and family on Friday January 10, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah. Interment will be in the Salt Lake Cemetery following a family memorial service on January 11, 2025 at Larkin Sunset Lawn.