Carolyn West Wilkinson passed away 19 July 2016 at Swedish First Hill Hospital in Seattle, Washington at the age of 76. Her husband and children were at her side.
Carolyn was born 31 October 1939 in Washington D.C. to Wilburn Clyde West and Zelma Ririe. Carolyn was the second of four children and the only girl. She grew up in Virginia and sometimes spoke about helping with the frozen custard stand owned and operated by the family. For a brief time, Carolyn West Candies were sold. (This may have been the start of her love for chocolate and all things sweet.)
Carolyn moved with her family to Salt Lake City, Utah as a young adolescent. She graduated from East High School and then attended the University of Utah where she studied Elementary Education. She met David at an Institute of religion class at the University of Utah. When David asked Carolyn’s father for her hand in marriage, her father stressed the importance of having Carolyn finish her degree and offered to pay for Carolyn’s final year of tuition. When Carolyn and David informed him that they had already budgeted for Carolyn’s final year in school, David jumped up a few notches in her father’s eyes.
Carolyn was sealed to David Alma Wilkinson in the Salt Lake City Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 1 April 1960. Carolyn and David both graduated from the University of Utah and Carolyn taught school until their first daughter, Karen, was born.
Carolyn moved with her family to California in 1967 and settled in Livermore, California. During the next 12 years, their family grew: Karen, Brenda, Richard, Ruth (deceased at birth), and Nancy. Carolyn was a busy homemaker and always put her family first. She sewed matching outfits for the children, cooked casseroles and baked cookies. She chauffeured children to soccer practices, swim lessons, school and church activities. In 1980, Carolyn moved with her family to Bellevue, Washington where the children each graduated from high school. She saw each of her children graduate from college and later marry in the temple.
She loved to travel and took the family to Nauvoo, Hawai’i, and Mexico. She and David traveled around the United States and ventured to China. The family made lasting memories as they gathered together for vacations, birthdays, holidays, weddings, and the arrival of new babies. Easter always meant egg hunts and chocolate dipped eggs with coconut, peanut butter or fudge centers. Every holiday had its own traditions.
Nothing made Carolyn happier than seeing her family gather. Her birthday wish one year was to see her family together in the temple.
Carolyn had a deep and abiding faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. She served in various church capacities including visiting teacher, primary teacher, Relief Society President, Housing Coordinator in the Washington Seattle Mission, and temple worker. Even as her health declined, she attended her church meetings, sometimes rising very early to make sure she was ready on time. She read and studied the Holy Scriptures and lived with compassion and humility. She showed her faith in the way she lived her life.
Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents Wilburn and Zelma West, and her daughter Ruth Wilkinson.
Carolyn is survived by David Alma Wilkinson (spouse). Brothers: Wilburn West Jr, Steven West, and David West. Children: Karen Jolly (Dean), Brenda Segobia (Julian), Richard Wilkinson (Bernie), and Nancy Muir (Tim). Grandchildren: Megan Jolly, Makenna Winn (Andy), Taylor Jolly (Alora), Hannah Jolly, Eli Jolly, William Muir, Elijah Wilkinson, Ryder Muir. Great Granddaughters: Reagan and Lucy Winn.
A service for Carolyn will be held on 23 July 2016 at 11:00 with a viewing at 10:00 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at: 16124 35th Avenue SE, Millcreek, WA 98012
Carolyn will be buried 1 August 2016 at the Tahoma National Cemetery located at 18600 SE 240th Street, Kent, WA 98042.