Born on May 21st, 1938, to Alf and Hilda Bjorklund, Gull-Britt Elenor Richardson spent her formative years developing a deep love of folk dancing, accordion music, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Gothenburg, Sweden.
She spent her free time cross-country skiing, running hurdles, ice skating and diving into the Baltic Sea. At an early age, her mother taught her to knit and sew. These skills served her and her family throughout her life. Having parents who helped to establish her church in Scandinavia, Gull-Britt was raised with a deep reverence for the faith. It was this reverence and desire for a deeper connection with the center of her religion that moved her to immigrate to the U.S. in 1964, where she met the love of her life: Paul Richardson. After a quick romance, they married on June 21, 1968.
Perhaps one of her greatest accomplishments was raising six children with exquisitely unique and varied personalities, Britt, Samantha, Rebecca, Sofia, Fredrik, and Annika. On more than one occasion she tearfully begged them to value each other. There were many Family Home Evenings where you could hear the strained voices of her children singing Love One Another as Gull-Britt pleaded with them to take the words to heart. Through her valiant efforts, she taught her children the importance of tolerance, forgiveness, and making space at the table for others. This legacy lives on to this day, as her children work to instill these same values in her grandchildren. Gull-Britt worked to appreciate most of what the U.S. has to offer, but her heart remained in Sweden, and with the family she left behind. She enjoyed sharing her pride and love for her first home. Her children understood which country to cheer for during the Olympics.
Most importantly, Gull-Britt worked to connect her children with their Swedish Family. She yearned for them to learn the values of service, compassion, and humility taught to her by her parents. Gull-Britt felt strongly that her children never put themselves above others. She modeled and lived this principal until her last breath.
Gull-Britt's sense of humor was known throughout the neighborhood. Even when furious with her children, she could soon be brought to tears by a goofy joke or pun. She loved harmless pranks and practical jokes and delighted in spending hours remembering the mischief she got into as a child.
She sought almost instinctively to build community whenever she could, and it showed most frequently in the swarms of neighborhood children that frequently graced the Richardson household.
Gull-Britt's stubbornness and tenacity were things of legend. In her later life, her love of participating in sports and physical activities was curtailed by the effects of several compounding medical issues, and her ability to do so many of the things she loved was taken from her bit by bit. Through it all she strove to find ways to serve others, knitting baby clothes and baking by proxy, up until the last of her days. She fought for every scrap of independence and autonomy she could maintain, sometimes to the horror of her devoted caregivers.
Gull-Britt was the last remaining sibling of a wonderful family, and is survived by her husband, six children, four sons-in-law, Shawn, Mike, Jeremy, and Gabe, and twelve grandchildren, Gavin, Chloe, Aidan, Cedrik, Zander, Ella, Conrad, Kaiden, Eli, Logan, Milo, and Felix.
We invite you to commemorate her life with us on June the 10th at 2:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at the Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, as well as closed-casket visitations on June 9th from 6:00 to 8:00, and June 10th an hour before the funeral itself. Interment will take place at Larkin Sunset Lawn.
For those who wish to view the recording of the services may do so here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/2M1BxMK_852camllJovXKTr9JqLlZVLUgDhnVOcIcdTBvzQ05xANDhD_vQovKbW-.yiIJJFO3OQitA4rX?startTime=1654889438000
Services can be viewed for 30 days.
I am sorry for the loss of your wife, mother, and grandmother. Gull-Britt was an amazing person. I met her as a nurse taking care of her in her home following a short stay at a hospital then a skilled nursing facility. While taking care of her I was able to connect with her Swedish heritage. My father had taught me Swedish folk songs he learned from his mission in Sweden. We were able to sing together all while learning to regain her health and independence. I will never forget the love and smile she shared. Thank you Gull-Britt for the amazing memories and life lessons. God be with you until we meet again.
I am so sorry for your loss. Gull-Britt was a lovely lady. She was always kind and soft spoken. We will all miss her and how kind she always treated everyone. She is always be in my heart.
My kind regards and respect for your family in your loss. She was a wonderful joyful woman. Her faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ added to my own testimony.
GULL-BRITT was one of the kindest humans to touch my life. She was a blessing in my life when I needed it most. I will be forever grateful for the love she showed me. I will miss her! She was an incredible wife and mother to the most smart, creative, amazing, strong, loving humans any one could know. Her legacy of life lives in you all. She will be missed. The Lord bless you and keep you in perfect peace.
There are very few people in life that have had to fight so hard to live, than Gull-Britt Richardson. Nine lives is an understatement! Her children may have been diverse in their personalities, but united in their love for her and each other. They took such great care of their mother that despite her several near death experiences, she was nursed back to health. I love the Richardson Family! The older I get, the more I realize that connections with others are not just the candy of life, meant to enjoy, but vital in our journey to become our best selves. The Richardson Family have taught me that loving each other regardless of our differences is what Christ would have us do. Though my actions may have not reflected this when I was young, it was these vital connections with families like the Richardson’s that have helped me change my perspective and be more understanding. There is a plan and purpose for every life lived, and I’m so grateful for the Richardson family. They were part of my village growing up, and their lives continue to shape my life’s journey even today. Thank you!!!! Sincerely, with love, Diana Catenzaro Barker
Gull-Britt and I have a long and wonderful history. I first meet her in Goteborg in 1962 while on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday saints. She was young and vibrant and loved life. She was a great help to the missionaries in finding those searching for truth. Her sense of humor and ability to have fun was always present, she was always very giving and very spiritual.
The second time I met Gal-Britt was in 1967 at a church dance at the Rainbow Randavoux in downtown Salt Lake City. She was with a group of friends having a great time dancing. There was a young girl named Inger Andersson that was her room-mate and was from Sweden. Gull-Britt introduced her to me and I asked for a dance. Inger's dance card was full so Gull-Britt said she would set me up on a blind date. That blind date turned into a marriage in the Salt Lake Temple that same year.
Gul-Britt was Inger's maid of honor and she used her sewing skill to make all of the bridesmaids dresses, including Inger's wedding dress. She was a very talented seamstress. She was a special friend to Inger and myself all these years. She is enjoying time with her friend Inger as they are both with our heavenly father.
With love Steve
Love Steve
This woman was like a second mother to us kids on Northstar Drive. She always seemed to have Swedish meatballs around to share with us and feed us, kids, when we were hungry. Actually, I guess or felt like our street was the BEST street to grow up on. Her hubby Paul was hands down the quickest whit on the planet and ALWAYS had something funny, snarky, or sarcastic to say, and he was equally loved for it. Together they had the largest family on the street, and every kid on the block was friends with them all. I was older than most of them but I absolutely loved Mark (now Samantha), who clearly inherited his sense of humor and love of everyone around him, now her. I secretly admired Britt Richardson Powell as well, she was as cute as could be. I hope and pray for peace for all of the family she leaves behind, and I eagerly look forward to the wonders that this family has been in my life. I can't count the times, Gull-Britt Richardson, patched up a skinned knee or a ripped up elbow. She truly was a blessing in my early life and I for one, am going to miss her. Steven Kendall, Michelle Kendall McGuire, and every other kid on the street would concur with me!!!😭
Sister Richardson I thought of you this past few weeks...
I went to church and I didn't see you there, it was sad to find out that you passed away.
This past two years of pandemic in lock down made me miss many familiar faces including yours. Thank you for all you did to make me feel welcome at church.
Love always 💖.. Patricia Ferwerda.
