Carolyn Joy Casper Walkingshaw
May 1, 1941 - December 16, 2023
Carolyn Joy Casper Walkingshaw passed away peacefully on December 16, 2023, surrounded by family and loved ones. To say that she will be missed is an understatement. However, for those who were lucky enough to know her and love her, her legacy of fun, kindness, and adventure will live on.
Carolyn was born May 1, 1941 in Salt Lake City, UT to Keith Clark Casper and Caroline Dorothy Coomber Casper. She graduated from South High School in 1959 and married her high school sweetheart, Gary Lynn Walkingshaw, on June 5, 1959. They were married for 64 years, and together they had two daughters, Julie and Cindy.
Carolyn enjoyed her life to the fullest. She found great joy in raising her daughters and being a grandmother. She loved a good adventure and believed fun was the best thing you could have. She was able to travel the world with her husband, Gary, eventually going to over 30 countries. Carolyn liked to do things her own way and in her own time. Although she turned down a full ride scholarship to the University of Utah after high school in order to start her family, she returned to the U after raising her children and graduated with a dual degree in Nutrition and Early Childhood Development. She was a lifelong Jazz fan, an avid University of Utah Ute, and a voracious reader.
Carolyn always thought of others and selflessly took care of those she loved. She was kind to everyone and seemed able to find the silver lining in any situation. She faced all of life's challenges with strength and dignity. In later years as her health failed and she was unable to walk, she was never bitter but instead chose to be cheerful and loving.
Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents Keith and Dorothy, and by her siblings Marilyn, Irene, Valerie, Patsy, and Keith Jr. She is survived by her husband Gary, daughters Julie Walkingshaw Kunz (Floyd) and Cindy Poulsen (Brett), grandchildren Jessica Ralph, Jennifer Eutsler, and Alex Eutsler, 6 great grandchildren, her sisters Diane and Dixie, and her brother Dennis.
A celebration of life will be on Thursday, January 4 from 6-8 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 S 900 E in Millcreek, Ut. Guests are encouraged to use parking and enterance located on the north side of the building.
In Loving Memory
I want to extend my condolences to Gary and the girls. All through the 70's and '80s Carolyn tolerated Gary's golf buddies on many outings and rounds of golf. For a short period of time, Gary and Carolyn shared a cabin in the Uinta mountains with me, Bruce Barrett and John Lerwill. There's some great memories of Carolyn being tolerant of our immature crazy behavior. She was a true beauty in all ways. Wiss
Jim Wissler
Salt Lake City, Ut
Gary, So very sorry to read of Carolyn,s passing. It's a difficult time even when inevitable. I remember Her as a sweet patient quiet Lady. What a loss for you and your girls. My sincerest regards.
Margie Ware
Holladay, Ut