1937
Carol
2022
Carol Jean Pugh Matheson
June 19, 1937 — September 4, 2022
Carol Jean Pugh Matheson
A Life of Magical and Meaningful Moments
Carol Jean Pugh Matheson passed away peacefully on September 4, 2022 at the age of 85.
Carol was the master of moments – magical and meaningful. Magic and meaning occurred in the low-lying and often ordinary moments of daily living. Each moment required a preceding moment where Carol would intentionally and purposefully choose to put the needs of others ahead of her own. She spent a lifetime creating magical and meaningful moments for others while demonstrating that the path to happiness is on the less traveled road of selfless service.
Carol was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on June 19, 1937, to Warren Edward. and Leta Curtis Pugh.
She married her childhood sweetheart, Robert Cooper Matheson, in the Salt Lake Temple on June 7, 1955. In that singular, magical, meaningful, eternally binding moment “Bob & Carol” became a singular term. They were one – particularly in their service to family and their determination to create moments that mattered for all who came into their lives.
If anyone ever earned the title, “Mother of the Multitudes,” it was Carol. The day-to-day rigor and routine of raising 11 children would drive any ordinary human into moments of mental and emotional exasperation along with physical exhaustion. Carol was recognized for her extraordinary grace. Yet it was her determined grit that made everything possible. The mountains of laundry, a constantly open short-order kitchen, endless grocery shopping, and the racing and chasing of children to practices, performances, competitions and church activities showed her willingness to sacrifice and serve. However, it does little to properly demonstrate her true influence and impact.
Each of the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren can bear witness of magic moments, where Carol set the world and her own priorities aside to create a memory or a moment that mattered. A chat on the couch, time in her legendary stamp-room, a delicious meal, watching a game or movie, a bowl of cereal, or a treat from her “candy cupboard” created space to feel loved, be comforted and emerge inspired with new confidence. She was possibly the greatest cheerleader, encourager and supporter the world has ever known. Dinner, dessert and even a Coke simply provided a moment where Carol could make the magical and meaningful happen.
Carol’s ability to create magic transcended her family and extended to friends, neighbors and even strangers. Big events, perfectly-themed parties and special gatherings often drew people into her home and circle of influence, but it was Carol’s love, kindness and service that kept them coming back – and actually changed them forever.
Carol and Bob had a continual stream of “guests” at their home/Matheson Hotel. From struggling friends of their children to a friend of a friend, to someone they had never met, the door was always open – literally. While many came into Carol’s home thinking they had found a place to stay with Carol’s amazing food and a couch to crash on, they soon came to realize they had landed on seemingly chaotic, yet sacred, ground.
Carol could lead from any point on the compass. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints she served at various points as president of the Primary and Relief Society and was an advisor to the young woman. She spent decades in Primary and loved, most of all, being Primary chorister – where she used her magic to create transformational moments in the hearts and lives of the children.
As an avid reader and forever learner she was involved in perhaps the longest running book clubs in history with her favorite friends, and a study group with people that were like brothers and sisters. Carol also served as president of University of Utah Law Wives and was a Lamba Delta Institute Advisor. Carol’s love of learning and appreciation for the beauty of creations included all things music, art, fine china, Lladro and crafts.
Less visible, but equally impactful are the countless homemade cards and notes Carol sent over the years. In an era of texts, tweets and emails, Carol knew it actually takes time to make a difference and it is rarely accomplished in a rapid-fire moment on an electronic device. There is a disciplined and an exacting process to stamping, embossing, glittering, gilding and coloring which takes time and actually put a piece of Carol on the paper. Focusing her mental attention on the physical details and her spiritual gifts on the receiver, Carol infused each card with a portion of her heart and her boundless Christ-like love.
Children and friends often joked that they knew when they have been in Carol’s presence or received a card because hours, and usually days later, they would find a little fleck of glitter on their clothes or skin. For Carol the glitter was not really about razzle-dazzle, glamour or glitz. That glitter, like pixie dust, was Carol’s way of extending a magical or meaningful moment and ensuring her influence and love endured.
Carol learned from Jesus, whose disciple she was and is, that every moment can be magical and meaningful. She showed that those committed to making such moments matter, create real miracles in individual lives, transform neighborhoods and leave legacies that remain in human and heavenly hearts forever. (We imagined early Sunday morning that perhaps Carol had left one last card, glittered in gold – stamped – “Returned to Sender”.)
Those that knew and were blessed by the magic and meaning of Carol’s influence have always assumed that she would outlive us all. Unsure of what to do now that this great matriarch has joined Bob in the Eternal Courts above – we would do well to remember what she taught through the extraordinary life she lived. Carol will be with us in every moment that matters – cheering us on, feeding our souls with meaning while sprinkling a little magical and heavenly pixie dust on our lives.
The world says that all that glitters isn’t gold. Carol proved otherwise. Her intentional, purposeful life of serving in the Saviors higher, holier way blessed us all and He, the Master of all Moments, has truly “made her heart as gold.”
Carol’s Life of Magical and Meaningful Moments continues.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert and their daughter Vickie Matheson. She is survived by her brothers Lorin Pugh (Judy) and Don Pugh (Jane) along with their children Chris Chess, Sherrie Ball (R.T.), Lori Reck (Bryan), Jana Miller (Jim Nelson), Debbie Hilton (Mat), Bruce (Tian), Boyd (Debbie), Amy Curnow (Stan), Brad (Tiffanie), Ben (Emily). Her posterity includes 52 grandchildren and 67 great-grandchildren.
A viewing will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m., followed by funeral service at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 9 at the Sandy Willow Creek 6th Ward meetinghouse – 2115 Sublette Place, Sandy Utah 84093. Interment at Mountain View Memorial Cemetery. Flowers may be sent to Mountain View Memorial.Service Information
Viewing September 9, 2022 at 9:00
2115 Sublette Place, Sandy Utah 84093
Funeral Service
September 9, 2022 at 11
2115 Sublette Place, Sandy Utah 84093
A Life of Magical and Meaningful Moments
Carol Jean Pugh Matheson passed away peacefully on September 4, 2022 at the age of 85.
Carol was the master of moments – magical and meaningful. Magic and meaning occurred in the low-lying and often ordinary moments of daily living. Each moment required a preceding moment where Carol would intentionally and purposefully choose to put the needs of others ahead of her own. She spent a lifetime creating magical and meaningful moments for others while demonstrating that the path to happiness is on the less traveled road of selfless service.
Carol was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on June 19, 1937, to Warren Edward. and Leta Curtis Pugh.
She married her childhood sweetheart, Robert Cooper Matheson, in the Salt Lake Temple on June 7, 1955. In that singular, magical, meaningful, eternally binding moment “Bob & Carol” became a singular term. They were one – particularly in their service to family and their determination to create moments that mattered for all who came into their lives.
If anyone ever earned the title, “Mother of the Multitudes,” it was Carol. The day-to-day rigor and routine of raising 11 children would drive any ordinary human into moments of mental and emotional exasperation along with physical exhaustion. Carol was recognized for her extraordinary grace. Yet it was her determined grit that made everything possible. The mountains of laundry, a constantly open short-order kitchen, endless grocery shopping, and the racing and chasing of children to practices, performances, competitions and church activities showed her willingness to sacrifice and serve. However, it does little to properly demonstrate her true influence and impact.
Each of the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren can bear witness of magic moments, where Carol set the world and her own priorities aside to create a memory or a moment that mattered. A chat on the couch, time in her legendary stamp-room, a delicious meal, watching a game or movie, a bowl of cereal, or a treat from her “candy cupboard” created space to feel loved, be comforted and emerge inspired with new confidence. She was possibly the greatest cheerleader, encourager and supporter the world has ever known. Dinner, dessert and even a Coke simply provided a moment where Carol could make the magical and meaningful happen.
Carol’s ability to create magic transcended her family and extended to friends, neighbors and even strangers. Big events, perfectly-themed parties and special gatherings often drew people into her home and circle of influence, but it was Carol’s love, kindness and service that kept them coming back – and actually changed them forever.
Carol and Bob had a continual stream of “guests” at their home/Matheson Hotel. From struggling friends of their children to a friend of a friend, to someone they had never met, the door was always open – literally. While many came into Carol’s home thinking they had found a place to stay with Carol’s amazing food and a couch to crash on, they soon came to realize they had landed on seemingly chaotic, yet sacred, ground.
Carol could lead from any point on the compass. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints she served at various points as president of the Primary and Relief Society and was an advisor to the young woman. She spent decades in Primary and loved, most of all, being Primary chorister – where she used her magic to create transformational moments in the hearts and lives of the children.
As an avid reader and forever learner she was involved in perhaps the longest running book clubs in history with her favorite friends, and a study group with people that were like brothers and sisters. Carol also served as president of University of Utah Law Wives and was a Lamba Delta Institute Advisor. Carol’s love of learning and appreciation for the beauty of creations included all things music, art, fine china, Lladro and crafts.
Less visible, but equally impactful are the countless homemade cards and notes Carol sent over the years. In an era of texts, tweets and emails, Carol knew it actually takes time to make a difference and it is rarely accomplished in a rapid-fire moment on an electronic device. There is a disciplined and an exacting process to stamping, embossing, glittering, gilding and coloring which takes time and actually put a piece of Carol on the paper. Focusing her mental attention on the physical details and her spiritual gifts on the receiver, Carol infused each card with a portion of her heart and her boundless Christ-like love.
Children and friends often joked that they knew when they have been in Carol’s presence or received a card because hours, and usually days later, they would find a little fleck of glitter on their clothes or skin. For Carol the glitter was not really about razzle-dazzle, glamour or glitz. That glitter, like pixie dust, was Carol’s way of extending a magical or meaningful moment and ensuring her influence and love endured.
Carol learned from Jesus, whose disciple she was and is, that every moment can be magical and meaningful. She showed that those committed to making such moments matter, create real miracles in individual lives, transform neighborhoods and leave legacies that remain in human and heavenly hearts forever. (We imagined early Sunday morning that perhaps Carol had left one last card, glittered in gold – stamped – “Returned to Sender”.)
Those that knew and were blessed by the magic and meaning of Carol’s influence have always assumed that she would outlive us all. Unsure of what to do now that this great matriarch has joined Bob in the Eternal Courts above – we would do well to remember what she taught through the extraordinary life she lived. Carol will be with us in every moment that matters – cheering us on, feeding our souls with meaning while sprinkling a little magical and heavenly pixie dust on our lives.
The world says that all that glitters isn’t gold. Carol proved otherwise. Her intentional, purposeful life of serving in the Saviors higher, holier way blessed us all and He, the Master of all Moments, has truly “made her heart as gold.”
Carol’s Life of Magical and Meaningful Moments continues.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert and their daughter Vickie Matheson. She is survived by her brothers Lorin Pugh (Judy) and Don Pugh (Jane) along with their children Chris Chess, Sherrie Ball (R.T.), Lori Reck (Bryan), Jana Miller (Jim Nelson), Debbie Hilton (Mat), Bruce (Tian), Boyd (Debbie), Amy Curnow (Stan), Brad (Tiffanie), Ben (Emily). Her posterity includes 52 grandchildren and 67 great-grandchildren.
A viewing will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m., followed by funeral service at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 9 at the Sandy Willow Creek 6th Ward meetinghouse – 2115 Sublette Place, Sandy Utah 84093. Interment at Mountain View Memorial Cemetery. Flowers may be sent to Mountain View Memorial.Service Information
Viewing September 9, 2022 at 9:00
2115 Sublette Place, Sandy Utah 84093
Funeral Service
September 9, 2022 at 11
2115 Sublette Place, Sandy Utah 84093
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