Carmen Adams Finan

Carmen Adams Finan

1924~2009

Carmen Finan was born September 18, 1924, on her grandfather''s farm in Layton. She was the third of four children, of Frank D. Adams and Leona Layton Adams. Carmen passed away September 16, 2009, after a stroke.

Carmen attended Layton schools, and was a graduate of Davis High School, class of 1942. She later attended Wayne State University. Carmen married Glen M. Burnham on March 3, 1944, and had two children by him. They were divorced after 23 years of marriage. Carmen married Domic A. Finan December 3, 1966, and they were together 40 years, until his death.

Carmen was a hard worker all her life and valued women''s achievements. She supported her daughters and grandchildren in their educational goals. She started work at the Naval Base at 16 years of age and worked more than 40 years in government service, retiring as an Internal Revenue Service Agent.

Carmen had many interests and excelled at cooking (her home-made candy was legendary), sewing, needlework, knitting, and became a master gardener in retirement. She was a talented pianist, organist, and singer, and performed in operettas, a double-trio, and church choirs.

Carmen often expressed her love for animals, and expects to meet several cats, Brandy the St. Bernard, and Schuyler the horse at the Rainbow Bridge.

She was active in the PTA and later in the Rowland Hall Home and School Association, and served on the Rowland Hall Board of Trustees. Carmen was vitally interested in the broad education that Rowland Hall provided and rejoiced in her children''s and grandchildren''s experiences there.

Carmen was a descendant of Utah pioneers and a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in several callings to church service and eagerly anticipated her monthly classes on church history and scripture. She received her endowments in the Washington, D.C. temple, and was sealed to her husband Dominic.

Carmen is survived by her daughters Mary Anne Chesarek (Richard), Christine Helfrich (Peter), by her grandchildren Bronwen Calver (Brett Tiedemann), and Andrew Helfrich, and by her great-grandson Julian Stacey. She is also survived by her brother Luke L. Adams. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Frankie and Jean, and by her husband Dominic.

Memorial services will be held Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road. Friends and family may call Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to services at the mortuary.

Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rowland Hall School or to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.