Carolyn Pearl Hastings

Carolyn Hastings passed peacefully beyond the veil, being held in the arms of her devoted husband of over 65 marvelous years on Sunday, May 31, 2026 in Queen Creek, Arizona.

Born Carolyn Pearl Murdock on December 6, 1940 to George Thomas and Lalovi Fish Murdock, Carolyn was the firstborn of five children, including George, Ken, Madelyne and Marlene.

Carolyn met Eldon Elmer Hastings in December 1959 in Mesa, Arizona. It was love at first sight–that is–for Eldon. Carolyn didn’t quite see it that way. Eldon reports holding the unofficial world record for the number of unsuccessful marriage proposals to the same woman–seven! However, the 8th time evidently was the magic one and she finally said yes. Thankfully, her parents came around to the fact that their first daughter was in love and getting married–with or without their blessing.

Carolyn and Eldon were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Mesa, Arizona temple on August 24, 1962. She was a lifelong active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Carolyn required three promises from Eldon: First, lifelong loyalty and fidelity to her as wife and mother. Second, all the children the good Lord would bless them with. And third, the ability to stay home and raise her children. Eldon made good on her requests. She was indeed able to stay home and raise the eight children the Lord blessed them with: Kent, Kevin, Debra, Scott, Laura, John, Julia, and Bryan.

Carolyn fiercely supported Eldon in pursuing all his dreams, including as they moved across the country from Washington, DC to New York City, and then San Antonio Texas with the FBI, and Loma Linda California where Eldon attended dental school. They settled in Tempe, Mesa, and finally Gilbert, Arizona area for over 55 years.

The life Carolyn chose to live could fill volumes of books. However, the most important values she held most dear included loyalty and honoring temple covenants between husband and wife, raising resilient and noble children who honor their parents, and holding fast to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, no matter what. She learned very well to come what may, and love it.

Carolyn was a fierce defender of the traditional family, including father, mother, and children. She was actively involved in propelling her husband and children to stretch themselves by undertaking new, daunting opportunities to become the very best they could be,including traveling the world. She drove the family’s Chevy Impala station wagon with kids in tow (and before Interstate15) to Provo, Utah every summer. She took summer school classes until she finally completed her undergraduate degree in Family Relations at Brigham Young University. She graduated from BYU in 1990, the same day as her son Kent and daughter Debra.

She was very passionate about children, her faith, politics, animals, and social issues. She wrote many letters to those whom she wanted to see another perspective. She served faithfully in many church callings over the years, and continued her burning testimony, even in times it was made very difficult by others. She exemplified compassion in the way Jesus Christ did–seeking out and helping those who were downtrodden and hopeless. She took in many different people over the years and provided them a temporary home in which to regain their identity, sending them off with hope for their future selves. She also held a very tender spot in her heart for vulnerable animals who had been injured or hungry, at one point rescuing over 40 stray cats.

Carolyn is survived by her utterly heart-broken husband Eldon, her eight children, and seven sons- and daughters-in-law Heidi (Hughes), Eric Awerkamp, Heidi (Farnsworth), Andrew Thompson, Jill (Hall), Benjamin Wheatley, and Nicole (Hall), 33 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held on Friday June 12, 2026 from 6:00pm to 8:00 and funeral service will begin on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 9:00am at Gilbert Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 777 E. Elliot Rd. Gilbert, Arizona, 85234

Interment at Mesa City Cemetery to follow after the funeral conclusion, 1212 N. Center St. Mesa, AZ 85201.

Mom–We love you, we miss you, we can’t wait to see you and hold you again!