Charlotte Ann Clark Cundick

Charlotte Ann Clark Cundick, affectionately known as “Cholly” to those close to her, passed away on March 17, 2023—St Patrick’s Day, in harmony with her Clark family Irish heritage. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she was loved, respected, and cherished by all who knew her. Many a resident at Spring Gardens Senior Living, where she spent her final years, owes their proficiency at Canasta to her, as do her children and grandchildren, who loved to spend an afternoon or evening playing with her.

Cholly was born on September 26, 1930, at the old Miner’s Hospital in Park City, Utah, where her father served as the community physician. In her youth, the family moved to Sandy, where she and her friends delighted in roller skating in their unfinished basement and sleeping atop the garage on summer nights. She loved family vacations to places like Fish Lake and Yellowstone, where her father could indulge his passion for fishing.

Just before her sixteenth birthday she was called to be Sunday School organist. Realizing that she needed an upgrade to her organ skills, she asked a handsome young ward member named Bob Cundick to teach her. After her lessons, Cholly and Bob soon found that there was lots to talk about; chats at the corner of the block between their homes lasted longer and longer. Thus began a deep and abiding relationship leading to their marriage in 1949.

Not long after their fifth child was born, Cholly and Bob received a call from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for Bob to play daily organ recitals at Hyde Park Chapel in London, England. What a challenge to take a family of five young children so far from home! Each day, Cholly was left to manage the household at their home in Epsom, helping the children with homework and music lessons while Bob commuted for his recitals in London. They were away for two years and grew much through their joint experiences.

Not long after their return, their lives were transformed once again when Bob was called as organist at the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Music became central to their family life. Bob’s duties included accompanying the Tabernacle Choir, and Cholly loved the friendships formed with staff and spouses as well as opportunities to travel the world with Bob.

Speaking of friendships, none were more important to Cholly and Bob than the many long-term attachments initiated at Jordan High School and continuing throughout their lives through meetings of their dinner group and “The Jordan Gang.” Cholly also treasured the associations and affinities that came through participation in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, Author's Club, and Friendship Circle.

After Cholly and Bob retired from their teaching and music careers, they received a call to serve as hosting directors at the BYU Jerusalem Center, where they greatly increased visitation to the center by expanding its wonderful concert series. They were also deeply involved in the Tabernacle Choir’s 1992 tour to the Holy Land.

Cholly was an amazing cook, hosting Sunday dinners and birthday celebrations that were out of this world. As grandparents, she and Bob invited their grandchildren to the family cabin each summer for a week of hiking, fishing, making delicious treats, and countless other fun activities. How her children looked forward to the break “cabin week” provided from their own parenting duties. And what happy memories she made for her grandchildren!

Education was of prime importance to Cholly. When it came time for her eldest son to enroll in college, she decided that she, too, would return to the University of Utah to finish her bachelor’s degree and complete a master’s degree to help finance her children’s educations. She was so proud that all of her children achieved advanced degrees, thanks greatly to her financial help. She was a beloved teacher at elementary schools in the Salt Lake School District, finishing at Rosslyn Heights Elementary for her last seventeen years.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ was paramount to her life. She loved serving in various musical capacities and in the Primary and Young Women’s organizations.

She volunteered at the Beehive House for many years, and in schools before getting her degree. Before her health declined (and when not too far away), she went to every graduation, music recital, or other performance possible for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved to knit and sew, and made so many beautiful creations. She was also an insatiable reader. During her final years the family found it next to impossible to keep her supplied with books!

Cholly is survived by her five children, Robb (Judy), Tom (Betsy), Ann Adams (Rob), Ruth Jackman (David), and David (Kim), 22 grandchildren, and 56 great grandchildren. Also her sisters-in-law Carol Hoopes (Grover), Elisabeth Cundick, and Bonnie Clark, and brother-in-law, Bert Cundick. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert, her parents, Thomas E. and Charlotte Parry Clark, as well as her sisters Claudia, Kathryn, Janice, Gwen, and Carol, and brother, Thom.

Services will be held on Friday, March 24th at noon, with a public viewing from 10:00-11:45 am at the Grandview Ward at 2930 South 2000 East in Salt Lake City.

For those unable to attend the service in person, the family invites you to join via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83877582993. A free Zoom account is required, and you will need to sign in to join the service.