Carma Burkinshaw Colton

Carma Burkinshaw Colton, age 77, returned home to her Heavenly Father on November 12, 2025, due to complications with Alzheimer's disease.

She was born on October 1, 1948, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to LaMar and Bernice Burkinshaw and was the beloved sister of Larry, Karen, and Gail. Carma grew up with a natural grace, talent, and love for the performing arts. She graduated from Olympus High School, where she enjoyed performing in a number of dance productions. It was during high school that Carma met the love of her life, Brent J. Colton. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. Together, they built a loving home in Murray, Utah, before settling in West Jordan, where they raised their three children.

Carma worked for Grand Central as a secretary, but her lifelong passion was dance. She continued dancing alongside her sister, Karen, with the Murray Community Dance Company, first as Assistant Director and later as Director. Known lovingly by her dancers as “Miss Carma”, her joy was teaching tap to the Starlettes and choreographing routines that became treasured memories for generations of dancers. After retiring from dance, Carma brought her creativity and warmth into a new chapter as a nail technician. She loved the work, but even more, she cherished the friendships formed with the women who sat at her table.

Carma and Brent later enjoyed being snowbirds, spending winters in Mesa, Arizona. They treasured the warm weather, the simple joys of each day going out to lunch, and their time together. Summers found them back home in West Jordan until they moved full-time to Arizona.

Carma will be remembered for her loving heart, her quiet strength, her devotion to family, and the beauty she brought into the world, whether through dance, service, or simply the way she loved. As a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Carma lived with love, kindness, and a deep spiritual strength. Though soft-spoken, her testimony of the priesthood and eternal families ran deep. She cultivated beauty everywhere she went. She loved traveling, camping, dancing, and, more than anything, spending time with her family. If her kids or grandkids were going somewhere, Carma was ready to go right along with them.

She is preceded in death by her eternal companion, Brent J. Colton; her parents, Lamar and Bernice Burkinshaw; and her brother, Larry Burkinshaw. Carma is survived by her children and their spouses: Chris (Teresa) Colton, Jen (Ben) Green, and Danyelle (Tyson) Badovinatz; her grandchildren Aleena, Austin, Ryan, Spencer (Tara), Averrey (AJ), Jamin Tate Green, Daicia, Tayvin, and great-grandchild Donna Lynn.

The family extends their deepest gratitude and appreciation to the entire staff and care team at the Sagewood Memory Care Center. They provided exceptional and compassionate care during her short time there, making her final days as comfortable and peaceful as possible. The family is very grateful for their unwavering support, kindness, and commitment to her well-being.

You are invited to visit with the family during a viewing on Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6695 S 2200 W, West Jordan, Utah 84084. Funeral services will begin at 12:30 PM. Interment will take place at 2:00 PM at Memorial Redwood Cemetery, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah.