Carol Ruth Kirkham Mathews Goulais Obituary (1947 - 2018)

8/24/1947 – 9/19/2018 Carol Ruth Kirkham Mathews Goulais, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, teacher, counselor, neighbor, and loyal friend, passed away peacefully at home September 19, 2018 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born August 24, 1947 in Salt Lake City to Arthur Jack Kirkham and Elna Mae Jensen Kirkham, Carol was raised in Murray with her brother and sister. She enjoyed camping (in a Springbar tent), spending time at the ranch with cousins, going to her grandparents farm, playing music and singing with her family, and cruising around Murray with her friends. Carol attended Brigham Young University and graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree. She later earned a master’s degree from the University of Utah as a single mother and while working full-time. She had an accomplished 30-year career with Granite School District that included teaching French at Kennedy Junior High School and working as a school counselor at Westlake Junior High School and most recently with Youth in Custody. She dedicated many years to teaching and counseling the students she so adored. Carol was fun, creative, witty, and had a great sense of humor. She prided herself on being a hard worker and always spoke her mind. She enjoyed many hobbies including scrapbooking, reading, writing, going to movies, cooking, playing piano, swimming, hanging out with her friends, and dressing her kids and grandkids to the nines. Some of her favorite things were playing games with her family, reading to the grandkids, celebrating holidays, going to Disneyland, being in the mountains, buying knick-knacks, decorating cookies, going to Little America, creating out of control Christmases, and staying up late watching movies with popcorn. She had a passion for dance and for years owned and operated a ballet school out of her basement. Every year she always looked forward to taking her children (and many students) to see the Nutcracker Ballet. Carol always valued people and her relationships. She shared tears and laughter with many friends from her neighborhood, church, school, work, and the “Ladybugs,” a group of friends from high school. She was always there for her kids, grandkids, nephews, and nieces. She had a special gift for making people feel accepted, loved, and special (especially teenagers). Carol was a member of the LDS Church and over the years held various positions in her local ward. She was also a lifelong Democrat and proud that she served as a delegate for the Democratic Party. She was married to William L. Mathews (later divorced) and Edward Goulais (later divorced). She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Elna Kirkham. She is survived by her children, William “Matt” Mathews (Denise), Jenny Mathews Sasich (David), Amanda Mathews Bilanzich, Allison Goulais (Mark Cannon); grandchildren, Caitlin, Zachary, Aidan, William; siblings, Kathy Kirkham Smith Lombardi (Scott) and Jack Kirkham (Cheryl); and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses, and caregivers who treated our mom like a person, not just a patient. You are amazing people. A viewing will be on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Chapel, 4760 South State St., Murray from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 26th at the Hegessy Ward, 2535 East Newcastle Drive, Sandy at 11:00 a.m., viewing preceding service from 10:00-10:45 a.m. Interment will be at the Murray City Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com.