Carolynn Burt

Community leader, champion for swimmers, Business owner... read her her obituary....

1937 ~ 2012  Carolynn June Canterbury Burt, 74, passed away June 24, 2012 at LDS Hospital.
Carolynn had a diverse and fulfilling life, ranging from USA swimming programs to business and government service. She was born June 28, 1937 in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1954 she married her high school sweetheart, Wesley "Buzz" Burt; later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. They were married for 57 years, bringing into the world four children, Jenny Lee Smith, Christina Lynn Jackman, Wesley James Burt, and Patrick Nolan Burt. Her extended family includes 13 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and sisters Pat Vandermeide and Barbara Hettich.
Carolynn and Buzz moved to West Valley City in 1961. After successfully running several businesses, they purchased a small restaurant on 3500 South- Scott's Drive Inn- which would become one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Carolynn and Buzz ran Scott's Drive Inn for more than 35 years, serving generations of loyal customers from across the valley. Nearly a thousand people were employed by Carolynn and Buzz, including several family members, over almost four decades. Working at Scott's became a right-of-passage for many of the teenagers of West Valley City. Stopping for milkshakes and fries after high school football games was a tradition for decades.
In addition to her successful small business career, Carolynn was the cornerstone of age-group swimming in Utah. Her involvement began 30 years ago, initially for the main purpose of spending time with her six-year-old grandson. Her involvement quickly grew from a local swim club representative, to a Utah swimming official, to the General Chairperson of all of Utah Swimming. She became a tireless advocate for the programs and built a career officiating at swimming meets throughout Utah and the IntermountainWest. In 2004 she was asked to be the first official from Utah to work at the United States Swimming Olympic Trials. She graciously accepted the honor and was asked back again in 2008. She served at the Huntsman World Senior Games for 20 years- from their beginning in the mid-1990s- signing many certification documents for world records. Her dedication was recognized by her peers on many occasions, including twice receiving the Phillips 66 Volunteer of the Year award for Utah, and the Maxwell Award of Excellence in Officiating from USA Swimming in 2010. Carolynn was instrumental in developing Utah Swimming into what it is today, initiating the original incorporation, fund raising, and using her financial and management skills to grow the programs. She was on the Board of Directors for two decades, including General Chair for four years. Her commitment to Utah youth swimming extended to the collegiate level as well, where she routinely was asked to officiate for the University of Utah Men's and Women's Swimming Team dual meets, which she did for approximately fifteen years. Above it all, Carolynn simply loved to watch the children swim. She set the standard for coaches and volunteers alike, and was not shy in motivating others to match her high ideals. Proud of her roots, she often started regional presentations with "Well in Utah we..."
On top of her tireless commitment to Utah swimming, and her full-time career as a small business owner, Carolynn found a new way to give back to her community- in 1998 she was asked to sit on the West Valley City Council. Carolynn was later elected to three terms as the District 1 Councilwoman in West Valley City, serving for 13 years between 1998 and 2011. She was known as an outspoken advocate for her constituents and often found herself in the council's minority. "I'm not a wallflower," she said in interviews. There were many successes under her leadership, including three city parks, public art in the West Valley Maverik Center, and expansion of the Family Fitness Center swimming facilities. She backed up her convictions through generous donations- park benches, equipment for swimming pools, and after-school educational programs for children. She earned the respect of her fellow council members by consistently advocating for small businesses, fiscal management, and programs for children. Carolynn was diagnosed with cancer two years ago, forcing her absence from her many passions.
Graveside services will be held for family and close friends at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday,
June 28, 2012, at Valley View Memorial Park, 4335 West 4100 South, WVC, Utah. An open house remembering Carolynn will be held afterward for family, friends, colleagues, and everyone touched by her bigger-than-life spirit, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 West 3100 South, West Valley City, Utah. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests honoring Carolynn's legacy by making a donation to Utah Swimming at any Zion's Bank. All donations will be used for her passion, Zone Swimming. Arrangements under the direction of McDougal Funeral Home.
She wanted her many friends to smile and remember her departure in the swimming tradition, continual progress from one level to the next. "Tell everyone... I just "aged-up."