Carol Jean Gothberg, 93, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2024, from cancer. She was born on July 30, 1931, in Plainfield, New Jersey, to Clinton Douglas Gatewood Sr. and Frances Louise Emiline Vollmer. She was the oldest of four children.
After growing up in New Jersey, her family moved to San Diego at the onset of World War II. While in San Diego, she met and married Paul Glenn Myers. They moved to El Reno, Oklahoma, where they raised a family until 1966, after which she moved back to San Diego. She later lived in Eugene, Oregon, then moved to the Salt Lake area for the remainder of her life.
Carol was a Genealogist and Historian for most of her adult life and served at the Family History Center in Salt Lake City, UT, for over 20 years. She published two books, "The Descendants of John and Amy Gatewood" and "Gatewoods in America: The Continuing Saga of John and Amy Gatewood." In addition to her passion for genealogy, Carol enjoyed crocheting, crafting, painting, preserving food, baking, gardening, and playing card games. She lovingly made quilts for her grandchildren and later for her great-grandchildren upon their 18th birthdays. She spoke Spanish, was self-taught in various computer programs, and knew a lot about technology for her age. She felt an immense sense of pride in the remarkable five generations of women – Herself, Janet, Christine, Sheena, and Kadee – who were all alive at the same time.
As a mom, grandma, great-grandma, great-great-grandma, and aunt, Carol was the cement that held her family together, never failing to send yearly birthday cards with her beautiful handwritten notes. Carol graduated from San Diego Trade Technical College, where she studied culinary arts and earned a degree as a Dietary Cook. She owned two cafes and a Dairy Hut in Oklahoma, worked at the San Diego Naval Hospital for several years, and retired from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, where she planned and cooked meals for inmates.
Carol's life was an example of resilience and determination. She was known for her remarkable strength, often carrying 50 pounds of flour and directing inmates who assisted with preparing food. She rode a motorcycle to and from work, which greatly impressed her grandchildren. She will be remembered as an independent, hard-working woman who knew the value of conserving precious resources. Her youthful spirit and physical strength, evident in her ability to go up and down stairs and demonstrate her "squats," remained with her until the end.
She is survived by her children, Joseph (Kathleen) Myers, Janet Koffron, Kenneth (Leesa) Myers, and Gary (Pattyjean) Myers, her beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Carol was preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Paula Love, and her grandchildren, Donny Love, Carol Love, and Micah Koffron.
We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who served and cared for her until the end. Their support and care were invaluable. For those who would like to honor her, a memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 12:00 PM at Valley View Funeral Home in West Valley (4335 West 4100 South West Valley, UT 84120).
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