Carol Jean "GG" Stauffer Hillier

Carol Jean “GG” Stauffer Hillier was born October 17, 1934, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Manilla Maine Stauffer and Emily Eliza Vincent Stauffer. She passed away on March 26, 2023, at home surrounded by family, which was her wish.

Carol graduated from Granite High School in 1952. She married her high school sweetheart, John “Jack” A. Hillier, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on July 3, 1953. They would have celebrated their 70^th wedding anniversary this year.  They moved to Davis County in 1972.

Carol was proud of her 4 direct lines of Utah Pioneer Heritage.  That Pioneer spirit of hard work lived on in Carol and Jack. Idleness was never allowed. Carol was an excellent cook, crafter, painter, and seamstress, always with the goal of perfection in the final result; with the attitude of “do it right the first time and finish all sides.” As a professional seamstress, she was able to stay at home. She made dozens of beautiful quilts and hundreds of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. Cheerleading and pep club uniforms were made for Bingham and Kearns High School, that were fully lined, with princess seams and bound buttonholes. Many custom bridal dresses and countless outfits were made.  

She started painting as an adult. She loved Tole and particularly, Folkart Painting.  Many crafted pieces were sold at Swiss Days in the award-winning automated Noah’s Ark and Swiss Chalet with the bell ringer and musicians that Jack built. She loved working with Jack as volunteers at the 2002 SLC Winter Olympic games. Every Christmas, she made dozens of hand dipped chocolates, and over the years, several beautiful Raggedy Ann and Andy themed Christmas trees with quilts that were donated to the Festival of Trees.  One year, our tree was the highest winning bid in the festival.  It seemed that there was nothing she couldn’t do. She enjoyed playing the piano but would never play in front of other people.

Carol always supported Jack’s passion of raising, breeding, and training Arabian horses. When Jack opened Jack’s Truck and Alignment, Mom worked alongside him by managing the front office.  And when he started wood carving, she was his biggest fan. Carol and Jack enjoyed traveling. They visited Hawaii, several States, Europe, Israel, Argentina, Mexico, Canada, and Mom visited Japan.

She served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with her husband, Jack, in Nauvoo, Illinois.  When they returned, she was called to serve in the Church Library Records Department in SLC.  Carol also served as a docent in the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City. Mom lived a life of service to her husband, her family, and those in need.  Many acts of service were done that we will never know about.

She particularly loved being a grandmother and great-grandmother and was known as “GG”.  She would light up the room with her smile and laughter when her family would visit. They brought her so much joy, and they loved her!

She is survived by her devoted husband, Jack Hillier; daughters, JoLinn (Brad) Holbrook, Terrie (Rob) Treft, Leslie (Ron) Johnson; 10 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; sister, Arlene Stauffer Christensen; and niece, Barbara Moore.  She was preceded in death by her parents; 6 siblings; and her great-grandson, Kai Robbins Johnson.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out and helped Jack and Carol.  We appreciate it more than you know! Especially, we want to thank Jeff and Meghan Parrish, Nada Anderson, Justin and Emily Brown, Jason and Emily Barnes, Tyler and Allison Christiansen, Dr. Mike Yeates, and Robin and Joanie at Cascade Springs Home Hospice.

Honoring Carol’s request, a family graveside service was held at the Kaysville City Cemetery, March 31, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Missionary Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.