Nancy Kathryn Carman

On a bright, cold Tuesday afternoon in December, Nancy Kathryn (Smith) Carman completed her earthly journey. Having shown great faith and patience, Nancy took her last breaths while resting in the company of Family on December 17, 2024. We feel deep gratitude for her many devoted friends and family members who visited and called during her final weeks, which provided tender opportunities for her to remember how much she is loved. We were also encouraged by the kindness of the nurses and aids who assisted in her care at the Meadow Peak assisted living facility and True North Hospice.

Nancy was born to Kathryn Elnora (Williams) Smith and Robert Joseph Smith on August 3, 1941 in Murray, Utah. Although she was an only child and her parents did not stay together long, she had the great blessing of being raised alongside her aunts and uncles. She always thought of them as her siblings and cherished her relationships with them throughout her life. Nancy also had a uniquely close relationship with her beloved grandmother, Edna Williams. The Williams Family home on 1300 East was a busy, unpredictable place that was crowded with the people she loved.

After graduating from South High School in Salt Lake City and attending classes at the University of Utah, Nancy married Ronald John Carman on November 14, 1962. In 1965 Ron and Nancy suffered through a terrible loss together when their first born son passed away within days of his birth. Their hearts were broken, but they were buoyed up by the love of family and friends and were able to welcome a daughter, Kathryn, and a son, David, into the world in 1966 and 1968. Ten years later, they were surprised and blessed to bring their son, Matthew, into the family. To their delight, they were all sealed as a family in the Salt Lake Temple on Nancy’s birthday in 1985. For 56 years and through the joys and heartaches of life, they loved each other completely. Being married to Ron meant even more family to embrace. Nancy loved and enjoyed her Carman in-laws. They made endless memories gathering for Birthdays, Christmases, trips to Bear Lake, and her all-time favorite 4^th of July parties. She was a wonderful cook, and her party theme was always “everyone’s welcome at the Carman’s.” Nancy adored babies and found true meaning and purpose in nurturing loving relationships with each of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Several work places benefited from her intelligence and ingenuity over the years. She and Ron eventually started a sales business, and she kept the books for their family business while simultaneously working as the Office Administrator at Whittier Elementary School. Ultimately, she retired from Whittier after 17 years. She loved her job there because she had countless opportunities to interact with children. The children at Whittier could count on finding a safe haven in the school office because Nancy was there and recognized each child’s uniqueness and beauty.

Nancy was a voracious reader, and in later years had a wonderful time interacting with friends and family through her iPad app, Words With Friends. Learning to express her creativity was a passion for Nancy. She was a skilled knitter, and over the years she learned to tole paint, make dolls, do calligraphy, sew jeans and much more. She learned to sew early in life and was a skilled seamstress, making everything from costumes and clothing to home décor. Eventually, all of her sewing time was invested in quilting. She enjoyed the fabric, colors, patterns, and construction that were all a part of quilt-making. Perhaps what she loved most about quilting was the opportunity it gave her to express her true generosity. No matter how long her quilts took to make or how expensive the supplies were, she would happily and lovingly give them away. Her quilts were an expression of beauty in workmanship and spirit.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nancy served in numerous callings. Even in the face of devastating trials, she maintained a vibrant testimony that God loved her. She did not hesitate to place her hope in Salvation through Jesus Christ, and her family has been everlastingly blessed by her faith.

Theatrical productions were among her favorite things—especially the plays at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. If you experienced some kind of crazy disaster, she loved to remind you that “all’s well that ends well.” All has indeed ended well. Nancy lived a rich, full life and navigated her final days and hours with dignity, grace, quiet strength and the powerful salve of humor. Her life leaves us with a beautiful legacy that is not unlike the quilts she left behind: a family faithfully sewn together into intricate patterns of colorful shared experiences and painstakingly bound together by love.

Nancy is survived by her children Kathryn Hutt (Si), David Carman (Sarah Marchant), Matthew Carman (Tiffany); her grandchildren Tessa Yuen (Pono), Eli Hutt (Hannah), Adam Hutt, Liza Hutt, Tristan Carman (Sarah), Talmage Carman (Brooklyn), and Ty Carman; and her great grandchildren, Ezra, Isaac, Ben, Kiara, Oliver and Kingston. She was preceded in death by her infant son, Ronald John Carman and her husband, Ronald John Carman.

Family and friends are invited to join in a celebration of Nancy’s life at a viewing and funeral service.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 27, 2024 beginning at 11AM at the Westland 8^th Ward Building, 7115 South 3200 West in West Jordan, Utah. Viewings will be held Thursday evening from 6-8PM at Larkin Mortuary – Riverton, 3688 West 12600 South in Riverton, Utah as well at the ward Friday morning beginning at 10AM prior to services.

A Private Interment will take place on Saturday, December 28 at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, Utah.