Carol Ann Adams

By Sun Advocate

HELPER – Carol Ann Adams, our precious mother, beloved daughter, sister and grandmother, passed away on July 2, 2008 at her home in Helper surrounded by her four children.
Carol was born on May 21, 1936 in Kilgore, Texas, to Norval and Marye McGurk. The McGurks soon added baby sister, Carmen, to the young family. They worked and traveled extensively throughout the Midwest and South. “Mac” McGurk, as he was known, worked in the oilfields of Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana while his young wife, Marye, was busy raising and educating their two young daughters.
The late 1940s found the McGurk family moving west and settling in Ontario, Calif. Mac was in the aviation and real estate businesses and Marye worked in the medical profession. Carol went to Chaffey High School in Ontario and graduated in 1954. Making many fast friends, she enjoyed school, sports, music and dancing and also worked in the medical office of Dr. Clark W.Green.
A devoted, natural born mother, Carol had four children over the course of the years, two daughters and two sons. She always put their needs first, showing and teaching about love and respect for one another. She taught her kids not to judge others and to help folks out who need a hand, whomever they might be.
Carol worked for many years in social services, first for the county of Riverside and then at the Social Security Administration in Riverside, Calif., then in Salt Lake City and eventually, Price. Carol loved her job, and she helped many folks from Carbon and Emery County receive their proper benefits and compensation for a lifetime of hard work.
Carol settled in Helper and worked as a health care provider for Doris Mayer, a sweet elderly woman from Colorado who became another part of Carol’s extended family.
Even after her first bout with cancer in 1993, Carol was very active in her community. She loved her little church, St. Anthony of Padua, where she made many dear friends and participated in numerous church related events. She was very active with the cancer survivors group. She especially loved working with the American Cancer Society Relay For Life.
She was legendary for her delicious cheesecakes, baking and working to raise money to fight against cancer.
Carol was preceded in death by her dear father, Norval E. McGurk. She is survived by her mother, Marye McGurk of Goleta, Calif.; her sister, Carmen Culver of Santa Monica, Calif.; her daughters, Nicole Thomas of Helper and Dianne Thomas, of Los Osos, Calif.; her sons, Bryan Thomas of Estes Park, Colo., and Bill Thomas of Boulder, Colo.; and her grandsons, Aidan Thomas of Estes Park, Colo., and Sam Thomas, of Denver, Colo.
Memorial services are pending. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 5005 LBJ Fwy., Ste. 250, Dallas, TX 75244; or the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.
A mother first, a loving daughter, a fiercely loyal friend and confidant, Carol had many blessings here on earth, and she now wishes many blessings upon you. Her earthly pain has been lifted and she rides the waves of heaven’s seas.
We love you, Mom.