Carolyn Elizabeth Garrard, a woman of profound faith, intellect, and maternal devotion, returned to her Heavenly Father on March 4, 2026, at the age of 82. Born in the coastal port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Murray Whitmore Dickie and Jessie Mildred Kennedy, Carolyn was an only child who possessed an insatiable hunger for learning. As a young girl, she frequently rode the bus alone to the local library and became a vivacious reader, reading all the books she could find. This nurtured a "technicolor" imagination that transformed every page into a vivid internal cinema. A passion for reading that remained with her always.

In 1955, at age 12, Carolyn’s life was forever changed when her family joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This conversion eventually led them from Canada to the milder climate of Arizona. As a proud 1959 graduate of Mesa High School, she immediately entered nursing school at Good Samaritan, where she lived in the dorms and graduated in 1963, and continued to work at Good Samaritan until 1966. Carolyn then pursued higher education at Brigham Young University and BYU-Hawaii before earning both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master’s degree from Arizona State University. She dedicated much of her professional life to the service of others, working as an emergency room and pediatric nurse at LDS Hospital, Mesa Lutheran, and Good Samaritan. From 1968 to 1973 she shared her expertise as a teacher of pediatric nursing at Good Samaritan, and later served as a beloved school nurse at Landmark Jr. High and Santa Fe Elementary.

At age 28, Carolyn met the love of her life, (Lester) Gary Garrard, and they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Mesa, Arizona Temple on December 10, 1971. That same year, she proudly became a naturalized U.S. citizen. They purchased a home in Glendale, Arizona, where they lived throughout their entire marriage. While she excelled in her nursing career, Carolyn’s greatest ambition was motherhood. Through an incredible legacy of adoption, she and Gary welcomed four children into their hearts and home. She frequently reminded her children that though they were not born to her, her love for them was absolute and eternal.

Carolyn was a "force of nature" in both her home and community. She served in numerous church callings, from the Primary to the Relief Society, and spent nearly two decades meticulously preparing the weekly ward bulletin. A dedicated Cub Scout den mother and a talented soprano, her voice soared above the congregation during hymns. Carolyn was a tireless servant who cared for her own mother through the challenges of Alzheimer’s and never wavered in her commitment to others, whether she was delivering meals or providing a temporary home for foster children.

While her body had been failing her for many decades, her mind remained fiercely sharp. She fought to maintain her health, and her family feels deeply grateful for the extra years they were given to forge even stronger relationships. Though she endured decades of chronic pain, she rarely let it be known, choosing instead to radiate positivity and gratitude.

After Gary’s passing in 2016, Carolyn spent her final years at Glencroft and later The Summit Assisted Living, where her quick wit and warmth earned her many dear friendships.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, Gary. Her legacy of love lives on through her children: Amy Munroe (Brian), Stephen Garrard (Ashlyn), Natalie Covert (David), and Jessica Skarsten (Ryan), as well as her 12 beautiful grandchildren, who were her greatest pride and joy. Her family takes immense comfort in the promise that families are sealed forever.

Services:

A celebration of Carolyn's life will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church building at 2647 S. Signal Butte Rd, Mesa, Arizona.

Viewing and visitation will be held an hour prior at 9:30 a.m.

Interment will follow at the Mesa Cemetery at 1:00 p.m.

For those unable to attend in person, streaming services will be available here:  https://www.youtube.com/@CarolynGarrardFuneralService