Carolyn Murdock Nelson Curtis' Obituary
Carolyn Murdock Nelson Curtis, 86, of South Jordan, Utah, passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 28, 2025, surrounded by family.
Born on March 18, 1939, in Midway, Utah, Carolyn was the daughter of Brigham Merrill and Inez Sizemore Murdock. She was educated in Salt Lake City and graduated from Granite High School in 1957, fondly recalling the high school years as the best of her life. A talented musician, she played trumpet in the band and was active in the pep club and a cappella choir. Her friendships from high school remained dear to her, and she met with two groups of classmates frequently for the remainder of her life.
Carolyn attended the University of Utah, where she participated in the band program and was a member of the band sorority, Tau Beta Sigma (Chi chapter), and the church sorority, Lambda Delta Sigma. She earned a degree in elementary education in 1961.
A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Carolyn served in many callings and dedicated much of her life to family history and indexed over 70,000 records.
She married Robert L. Nelson in 1961 in the Salt Lake Temple, and together they had six children before later divorcing. In 1980, she married Gerald G. Curtis, and they moved to Miami, Florida, where she finished raising her six children. Carolyn was an involved parent, supporting her children’s school and extracurricular activities including serving as a band parent for 16 years. She also spent six years as a substitute teacher.
In 1989, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and later encountered additional health challenges, which she navigated with grace and resilience. In 1997, Carolyn and Jerry returned to Utah, eventually settling in South Jordan. She cherished being back near family and her beloved mountains.
Motherhood was Carolyn’s greatest joy. She treasured her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as blessings from heaven. In her final days, her love for them was especially evident as she expressed sorrow over leaving them. She loved family gatherings, never tiring of the lively noise around her, even in her last hours. She always wished she could “do more” for those she loved.
Carolyn’s life was defined by service, kindness, and unwavering optimism. She will be remembered for her loving spirit and enduring positivity.
She is survived by her brother, Max (Shirley) Murdock; children Todd (Rhonda) Nelson, Scott (Lisa) Nelson, Teri (Tony) Larsen, Christi (Eric) Richards, Lori (Nathan) Phillips, Heather (Clint) Larson; 23 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and six nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Gerald Curtis; her parents, Brigham Merrill and Inez Sizemore Murdock; two sisters, Barbara Jean and Sharon Murdock; and two grandchildren, Heidi Nelson and Tatum Larson.
Join us in honoring an incredible woman. Loving wife, mother, nana, great grandma, sister, aunt, and friend. We love her dearly. She will be missed.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Visitation: Tuesday, April 15, 6:00–8:00 PM, and Wednesday, 9:30–10:30 AM. All services will take place at the Country Crossing Stake Center, 11122 S. Black Hawk Drive, South Jordan, UT. Interment: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.
For those who cannot attend in person, the funeral will be broadcast: https://zoom.us/j/95583849274
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