Stephanie Adele Howells Carlston
1946 – 2009
Stephanie Adele Howells Carlston passed away peacefully at home on October 29, 2009, after years of bearing serious illnesses with exquisite grace.
Born on September 16, 1946, to Ruth Felt Howells and Paul Steed Howells in Salt Lake City, Utah, she was affectionately known as “Taffy” to many. She happily spent her early summers tagging along with her father on his Thousand Peaks Ranch in Weber Canyon. After graduating from Highland High School, she attended the University of Hawaii and the University of Utah, where she affiliated with the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She met her husband, Wayne Alan Carlston, at the U and was married in the LDS Salt Lake Temple on November 17, 1972.
Theirs is a marriage for the ages—infused with friendship, romance, unwavering commitment and a fierce loyalty. “Taff” is Wayne’s best friend, his confidante, his shelter from the storm. They moved through life as one, providing a remarkable example of unselfish love to everyone around them.
Together they raised six headstrong children; each one has served an honorable LDS mission and by year’s end, each will be married in the temple. She loved them completely and unconditionally, selflessly giving them everything they needed in life. As matron of “Hotel Carlston”, she fostered an accepting and warm environment of creativity, appreciation for all things beautiful and fun, and an abiding faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. She really shined (and will certainly continue to do so) as “Grandma Taffy,” and she leaves a rich legacy for her family, most poignantly felt at the family cabin as it continues to be an anchor point of family togetherness.
Stephanie loved nothing more than to give. Impulsively generous, she often would give away flowers as soon as Wayne brought them home to her. Her approach to her essentially non-profit floral business – Weeds ‘N Things – wasn’t much different—providing beautiful and unique floral arrangements for countless funerals and weddings. She freely gave of her artistic, theatrical, and creative talents to her kids’ school programs, church activities and theatrical productions, and community events, adding color and life to everything she touched.
As prone as she was to give, her ability to receive gifts was equally delightful. Upon receiving a gift, she expressed so much sincere delight and gratitude that it made you feel like you were the recipient of a much greater gift. She was the best of friends to many. She had a knack for making friends for life in an instant because she only saw the best in everybody. She lived and loved deeply; we love her and will forever call her name blessed. Oh how we will miss her exuberant joie de vivre, vivacious intellect and magnanimous spirit. She was and is a beautiful and regal lady.
Stephanie is survived by her husband, Wayne; their six children and their spouses, Peter (Julie), David (Kara), Virginia (Josh) Whiting, Abigail (Jared) Stubbs, Christopher (Amber), Amy (Chris) to-be-Shane, and seven remarkable grandchildren: Katherine, Afton, Parker, Ben, John, Luke, and Piper. Her mother, Ruth Felt Howells, and her siblings, David (Carole) Howells, Spencer (Ann) Howells, and Amy (Karl) White also survive her, as well as too many close friends and relatives to mention. She was preceded in death by her parents-in-law and her father, who is undoubtedly glad to have his Taffy tagging along with him once more.
Funeral services will be held Monday, November 2 at noon in the Holladay 26th Ward, 4601 S. Chapel Street (2565 E). Friends may call Sunday 6-8 or Monday 10:30-11:30 at the Ward building. Interment at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of donations, send flowers!
