Whitney Elizabeth Kelson

On a warm Tuesday, June 18, 1985, a beautiful baby girl was sent from heaven and brought her bright light to earth.

On a very different Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the light that was Whitney, returned back to heaven with her mother Karolyn at her side as she had always been throughout her life.

We look back over the14,539 days she was here, and we know she touched so many lives along the way and will be so deeply missed.
Whitney was curious and smart from the start and had a tender and loving heart.

Throughout her childhood she was active!! She took ballet, jazz and hip-hop classes, she was a naturally gifted dancer. Everyone thought she was shy and quiet until they would see her performing…she really loved the spotlight. She had the opportunity to go to New York with her dance studio in middle school, and she took some ballet lessons there.

She was on Dance Company at Jordan High her junior and senior years and was close friends with the other members. They enjoyed performing at Disneyland yearly and participated in many dance competitions. Whitney also played coed softball for years. During high school she was well liked and was an excellent student. She always had the best sense of humor. She loved comedies and could quote all her favorite movies, like anything with Jim Carrey, Dumb and Dumber, and Cable Guy for a few. She was so smart and witty and liked to make people laugh.

She graduated from Jordan High School in 2003, and attended The University of Utah for a while, focusing on child psychology. Whitney got to travel to Hawaii a few times and the ocean was always a favorite place. The skies and the water reflect her favorite shades of blue. She loved the sunshine and the sand, the sea breeze and the feeling of peace and calm where time seemed to slow down. Her worst pet peeve was being rushed.  There was a thing called “Whitney Time.”   She once said, “This kind of perfection takes time, don’t you know!”  As she flipped back her blonde hair.  If you knew her… you know!!!
There were so many good times, laughter, a life filled with promise…

Then somewhere along the way, Whitney started to lose confidence in herself, struggled with feelings of worth, and even though she was always absolutely beautiful, she didn’t see herself that way.  Depression and self-doubt led her to look for ways to numb her feelings, and addiction took hold of her.  The past 15 years have been periods of ups and downs, hope and despair, and struggling to beat the demons she fought hard to overcome.  If you have never loved someone who has been hijacked by addiction, it’s very hard to understand.  It’s very hard to understand no matter what.  The truth will always be Whitney was so much more than the disease that took her from us. And if there is any solace in her passing, it’s knowing she is free… Surrounded in love and gleefully greeted in Heaven by Grandparents Ralph and Liz Kelson, Reid and Dorothy Olsen, Uncle Fred Katwyk, Aunt Connie Kelson and her younger brother Dane Olsen. Much love from Dane’s mom in Utah

Whitney gave the gift of life and truly all the best of her to her children, who survive her: London Workman (13) Lenni Hedin (10) Austyn Hedin (7) Carter and Christian Blair (2) She is also survived by her Mother Karolyn Kelson, Father Steve Olsen (Terry Ann Olsen) Step siblings Holly Hull Williams (Shane), Heidi Hull
Aunt Kay Katwyk, Aunt Diane (Bill) Eliason, Uncles Dennis Olsen, Bill (Annette)Olsen Aunt Cathy (Mike) Hartman, Uncles Andy (Eileen) Fawcett, Jamey (Debbie) Fawcett, Jon (Renee) Fawcett, Mike (Carolyn) Fawcett. And many other family members and friends.

Whitney lives on in all the memories of those who were lucky enough to have known her. She will be missed until we are all together again.
We look forward to joining our hearts in a celebration of her life for family and friends on May 31st from 3-5pm at Starks Funeral Parlor 3651 S 900 E, Salt Lake City. Dress will be casual; In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to an organization of your choosing in Whitney’s honor.
Some suggestions,
www.cpsn.org
www.wowutah.org
www.sobrietyfoundation.org

Like the rose, the flower of June
With delicate petals that fall too soon,
Butterflies and bees swarm this fragile flower,
Beads of silver collect from a surprise shower.
Though your summers on earth
may have come to a close,
Whitney you will always be
our beautiful rose.