Carole Ann Pearce

Our loving mother, sister, grandmother, and great grandmother Carole Ann Pearce passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday morning April 20, 2017, in St. George, Utah.
Carole was born to Franklin and Mary Markham on November 13, 1940, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She graduated from Granite High School in 1959. She married Ron Chirrick and was the mother of two young children when they later divorced. Carole attended Salt Lake Community College where she received her Secretarial Certificate. She married Edwin (Ed) Pearce in 1967. They blended their families and raised four children whom they loved dearly.
Carole spent the majority of her career working for the Federal Government within the IRS, Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. Geological Survey, retiring in the mid 1990’s. After retirement, she again attended the Salt Lake Community College and graduated with her Associate’s Degree.
Carole loved animals and spoiled the family cats rotten. We always had a cat and/or dog in our home. She also loved to travel, garden, write poetry, shop, complete crossword puzzles, read, spend time with her grandchildren, and attend social events with her friends in the Red Hatters Club. Carole and Ed loved to attend events to support their children who competed in baseball, football, basketball, and dance and later supported grandchildren following in their parents’ footsteps.
Carole and Ed moved from Salt Lake City to St George in 2001 where they have enjoyed retirement for the past 16 years in the Sun River community.
She had a quiet yet creative sense of humor where you never really knew what she was thinking. She loved to laugh with her family and friends and would often tell jokes—even though she would often forget the punchline half way through. Playing “Cards Against Humanity” with Carole is an experience the family will always fondly remember.
Carole was a free spirit and had a generous soul. Her home was always open to family who needed help during times of need or to animals who needed a home when others could no longer care for them. She had a special relationship with her mother and helped care for her during the last years of her life. She loved being a grandma and always had special gifts for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was also very giving. She made many donations to multiple charities displaying her soft heart toward those less fortunate and for animals who could not defend themselves.
Over the past few months Carole fought valiantly to overcome the many obstacles her body presented. Even on her most challenging days, she still managed to smile and sometimes even joke. Depending on the day, when her children would visit, she would either light up with a smile or “light them up” when they walked into her room—she definitely kept everyone on their toes. She was adored by her family and will be dearly missed.
A very special thank you to the many doctors, nurses, and staff at Dixie Regional and Coral Desert for taking such good care of Mom and supporting her family during this difficult time.
Carole is survived by her daughter Ronda (Tom) Buhler, son Ken (Rise) Chirrick, son Ryan (Christy) Pearce, and stepson Brett (Amber) Pearce; her sister Marilyn Lange and her brother Alan Markham; as well as 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Carole is preceded in death by her husband Edwin (Ed) Pearce, her parents Franklin and Mary Markham, her brother Richard (Dick) Markham, and her grandson Brady Buhler.
A viewing and celebration of Carole’s life will be held Saturday, April 29th from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Memorial Murray Mortuary 5850 S 900 E, Murray, Utah. Carole will be laid to rest next to her parents and brother at the Salt Lake City Cemetery located at 200 N St E, Salt Lake City, Utah at 1:30 p.m. on the same day. This is a casual event; please dress comfortably.
Service Information
Viewing April 29, 2017 at 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Memorial Murray Mortuary, 5850 South 900 East, Murray, UT





Graveside Service
April 29, 2017 at 1:30 PM
Salt Lake City Cemeter, 200 North Street E, Salt Lake City, Utah