Obituary: Olafson, Nellie Carolyn Sessions Matthews
Age 80
Carolyn was born September 19, 1933 to Alfred B.
Sessions and Mary Ethel Goodfellow in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Carolyn spent her youth in Bountiful Utah where she was raised by her mother after her father died.
She loved to go to Salt Lake with her mother to shop and have lunch at the Hotel Utah.
As a teen she worked at the soda fountain in Swede’s drugstore and spent some time driving main street with her friends.
In 1952, Carolyn was in her first year of college at the University of Utah and she met George Matthews, and eight months later they eloped to Las Vegas.
In 1956 they had a son, Stephen.
Carolyn and George lived happily together until George’s untimely death in 1963.
In 1967, Carolyn married Robert Bruce Olafson, who was her companion for more than 35 years until his death in April of last year.
They lived most of those years at Clear Lake where they entertained, sailed, watched birds and enjoyed wonderful neighbors.
Carolyn was a woman of hard work and character.
Even though she knew more than her share of sorrow in life, she was incredibly perseverant and caring.
She supported and raised a son for years as a single mother.
She was also a successful career woman.
She worked as the Director of Benefits for more than twenty years at Eastern Washington University serving faculty and staff.
Kindness was Carolyn’s hallmark, she considered everyone she met to be her friend.
Carolyn is survived by her son, Stephen (Lorie), three grandsons, Brandon (Meghan), Winston (Jennifer), Trevor (Tara) and four great-grandchildren.
Carolyn will long be remembered for her cheerful temperament, kindness, social grace and skill as a hostess.
She was a loved and respected advisor, friend, wife, mother and grandmother.
In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest a contribution to the EWU Foundation.
Carolyn and Bob both loved the University.
Funeral Service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, at 2721 E. 63rd Ave. Spokane, WA.
99223, on February 28, 2014, with a viewing at 10AM, and funeral at 11AM.
Interment will be at Spokane Memorial Gardens.