Born in the early morning of July 23, 1941 in Chico Butte County California, this beautiful brown-eyed baby girl was given the name of Carol Ann Cogo after her grandmother Paola Carolina Cogo. She and her sister, Conne Mae grew up in southern California and were the instigators of childhood adventures of all sorts. They forged a life-long sisterhood rooted deeply in unconditional love and support. Living in southern California, and among a host of cousins, served as the perfect catalyst for every kind of marvelous mischief. If something was afoot, you could count on Carol and Conne to be the instigators or the organizers of the event.
Carol grew to be a lovely and intelligent young woman known for her academic prowess and athletic performance. Her love for learning, travel, history and art were peaked in the various class curriculums of Eagle Rock High School. When she graduated, Carol took a summer job working at the AS Aloe company as a typist, then at Oceanside Hospital while attending Palomar College. Her collegiate career culminated with a teaching degree from Brigham Young University and later a master degree from Utah State University. Carol’s initial teaching assignment was in Milford, Utah where she met and married her first sweetheart Garth Penney.
In the early part of their marriage, they accepted teaching positions at Kanab High School and relocated to Kane County. It was at Kanab High that Carol began a forty-year teaching career – becoming the quintessential educator. She taught every subject in the social sciences area, directed innumerable plays and productions, advised cheerleaders, drill teams, newspaper and yearbook staffs, coached volleyball, basketball, even track. She loved teaching. She loved learning. She loved students. Her empowering and motivating influence will be felt for generations. Outside of school, Carol and Garth enjoyed years of camping, fishing, and exploring southern Utah together until Garth’s passing in 1982.
In 1988 Carol married Lamar Sullivan, and for many of the 33 years they were together, she and Lamar motorcycled across Utah and the western United States on their Goldwing to rallies and events. They loved exploring new places and meeting new people together. As grandparents, they rarely missed a ballgame or event featuring a grandchild. Family was of the utmost importance.
Carol’s talents were numerous and included perfecting the art of quilting, gardening, photography, specialized embroidery and more. She won many awards and achievements for her unique embroidery work and breathtaking quilts. Carol harbored an infectious love for learning and considered herself an ever learner, where never a day passed that there wasn’t something to learn and something to give.
She soaked up history and loved to travel with friends and experience the native cultures and communities of foreign countries across the globe. One of her most recent trips to Israel, was one of the most salient spiritual highlights of her life and fortified her faith. Carol was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and, as a convert to the gospel, endeavored to share this gift with those who knew her by her words and deeds.
Carol loved Kanab and loved serving in her community. She served as a city councilwoman, member of the Kane County Hospital Board, newspaper reporter, and co-chair of the Kanab City Beautification Project. The beautification project was an impressive civil service accomplishment which, even today, can be seen as residents and visitors stroll down Kanab’s main street.
Carol is survived by her children; daughter, Karen (Wayne) Penney McDade, son John (Julie) Sullivan, daughters-in-law Janice Sullivan Kellogg and Leila Sullivan, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Ronald W. Lord, nieces and nephews; Ronnè (McKay) Chamberlain, Gayea Esplin, David (Deana) Lord, Sandra (Michael) Thomas, Judy (Rick) Holliday, John (Marrian) Lord, and Kenneth (Heidi) Lord, 42 grand nieces and nephews, and 19 great grand nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husbands; Garth Penney and Lamar Sullivan, sons; Lonnie Sullivan, David Sullivan, and Troy Sullivan, mother, Ann (Fred) Westfall, father, Stefano Cogo, and sister Conne Mae Cogo Lord.
We have lost a beautiful, brilliant, and beloved friend, mentor, civil servant, and educator, but she will live within our hearts and her lessons and mentoring will always be with us as we endeavor to live as an extraordinary life as she did.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 1:00 PM in the Kanab Utah South Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 600 South Highway 89A. Viewings will be held Friday evening from 7:00 to 8:00 PM at the Chapel and Saturday morning from 12:00 to 12:45 PM. Burial will be in the Kanab Cemetery under the direction of the Mosdell Mortuary.
I love Carol. She was a great teacher to me at KHS. She was such a great friend to my mother, Delores. Our thoughts and prayers are with Carol’s family. She is an amazing person!
I only knew Carol for two years when she tried to teach me Spanish in high school. She was one of my favorite teachers. So was Garth, but I liked Carol’s class more! I still remember a couple of phrases from the movies we watched and how to count. With two years you would think I would have learned more but it wasn’t Carol’s fault. She was a great teacher, person, and friend. I remember seeing her last when she was showing quilts in the elementary school one year. I think she remembered all of her students! I know that she will be missed!
Mrs. Sullivan was a teacher and an example to me. I had told her as much when she came to speak with my grandma. She taught me how to free think and question along with having sympathy and showing empathy. She will be missed.
I’m so sad I cant make it to celebrate and mourn with you! I will miss Mrs. Sullivan!
I had Carol & Garth in high school. I didn’t really realize at the time how much I loved her class & really appreciated her teaching drama & Speech & then a great P. E. Class. I loved Garth in Drivers Ed also.
Later when I & my children lived on Kanab Creek Dr, Carol & Lamar lived 2 doors down, our kitty loved them also, & the rabbit would visit sometimes, they were great neighbors.
I saw her around town quite a bit, she seemed to always be there, adding to local events. I have thought of her often through the years. Godspeed Mrs (Penney) Sullivan. My condolences to her loved ones. She will be greatly missed.
Carol was our teacher for History and Civics. She was really caring and really tough. The kind of teacher you didn’t really appreciate until after you graduate. It seems like all the people who influenced who I would become are leaving us at the same time. It’s heartbreaking but also a time to appreciate what you have done for my generation.
My favorite high school teacher. Had a profound influence on me.
I loved her. She loved Herr students. I was in her GOVERNMENT class and she was an awesome teacher. She was the Larriette Advisor when I was there.