Kathleen Campbell

Kathleen Martha Murdock Campbell

July 13, 1932 ~ April 11, 2024

Kathleen Campbell loved much and was deeply loved. She cherished flowers, colors, poetry, words, ideas, children, her alma mater, music, and a good volleyball or basketball game. She delighted in a good story, and laughed easily, even at herself. But Kathleen's consummate skill was listening. She could really listen, without judgement and with sincere interest. Talking to her was a balm that left one feeling validated and understood. She will be sorely missed.

Kathleen grew up in Heber City, Utah, where she developed a self-reliant, happy, and unusually determined outlook. She was a smart cookie as well as ambitious. She worked her way through college, an unusual path in those days for someone without means, especially a woman. She met her husband at BYU, and together they made two smart cookies. Ohlan, an engineer and Kathleen, an artist admired each other's attributes, but you would be hard-pressed to find two people so remarkably different from each other. Kathleen and Ohlan's union was solemnized in the Manti Temple. They raised a healthy, happy family that reflected Kathleen's love of beauty and Ohlan's practicality.

Following Kathleen's retirement as a business teacher at Granite High School in Salt Lake City, the couple served a mission in Louisiana and continued a lifelong love affair with that southern state and its people long after completing their assignment.

When visiting their daughter in Texas, Ohlan suffered a fall from which the family despaired he would not recover. During his convalescence, we witnessed an extraordinary degree of dedication and love as Kathleen provided round the clock care despite being well into her 9th decade. She slept little and devoted herself so entirely to her husband's care that it seems her love alone helped him to survive. They are undoubtably together again, and we know the reunion was joyful.

Kathleen is survived by her three children, Lindsay, Ohleen, and Louis, daughter-in-law Carolyn Graham Campbell, son-in-law Scott Hansen, as well as ten grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. She thoroughly enjoyed the company of friends and family throughout her life. While personally thrifty, Kathleen was generous to a fault with those in need.

As time passes, and the hurt fades, we are left with love and appreciation for this wonderful woman. Whenever we hear a bird sing, or gaze with wonder at the beauty of azaleas, or watch a BYU or Utah Jazz athletic event, or marvel at gorgeous poetry or magnificent prose, we will think of Kathleen Murdock Campbell and honor her memory.

Funeral Services will be Saturday, 12:00 noon on April 20 at the Hunter 3rd Ward, 3770 S. 5600 W, West Valley City, Utah. A viewing will be held Friday, April 19 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at McDougal Funeral home, 4330 S Redwood Rd Taylorsville, and prior to the funeral service from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.  Burial will be at Valley View Memorial Park.