[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 17988-17989]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO CAROLYN LUCILE McDONALD SHIPP

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I wish to honor a native Utahn and dear 
friend on the occasion of her 80th birthday.
  Carolyn Lucile McDonald Shipp was born on December 5, 1935, in the 
L.D.S. hospital in Salt Lake City, UT. She is the first living child 
born to Andrew Melvin and Lucile McDonald. She is the sister to three 
brothers, two deceased, and two sisters, one deceased. She was born in 
the midst of the Great Depression and lived through the rationing in 
World War II. The Utah she grew up in was very rural. The only thing 
between the house she was raised in and the mountains was a great 
gully.
  Carolyn's family home had no TV until she was a teenager, but she 
loved listening to the radio on Sunday afternoons. Raised with a strong 
work ethic, daily and weekly chores were a must do before any 
recreation. Her home had only one bathroom for a family of seven and 
shared a party line telephone with four neighbors.
  Carolyn was an accomplished pianist and in the a capella choir, but 
it was dancing that gave her the greatest joy growing up. She took 
ballet and excelled at tap dancing. Carolyn was popular in high school 
and recalls those carefree times very fondly.
  A classic beauty--many have compared to the movie star Kim Novak--
Carolyn was a natural at modeling and was asked to represent East High 
in a number of fashion shows during her senior year in high school.
  Carolyn treasured her time at East High in Salt Lake City and 
maintains strong friendships to this very day with many of her friends 
from that time. Her grandchildren are very impressed that their 
grandmother went to the now famous East High School of the High School 
Musical movie fame.
  From high school, Carolyn went to the University of Utah, where she 
pledged the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, where she was the exchange 
chairman responsible for planning parties. She dated athletes and 
majored in elementary education. She recalls that, as

[[Page 17989]]

soon as she began taking classes in elementary education, she knew she 
was born to teach children.
  After college, Carolyn spent a summer working and playing in Hawaii 
and then settled in as a young teacher back in Utah. During her second 
year of teaching, she was introduced to Royal Shipp, who became her 
husband and the great love of her life. They were married in the Salt 
Lake City Temple.
  Carolyn has loved being married and has described it as ``having a 
slumber party every night with your best friend.'' During their early 
married life, Carolyn continued teaching while Royal continued his 
education.
  A few years after their marriage, Carolyn and Royal, along with their 
two small daughters, Becky and Kristy, moved to Virginia, so Royal 
could work in Washington, DC.
  The family stayed in the DC Metro area and added another girl, Julie, 
and finally a boy, Philip, to the family. The family grew up during a 
turbulent time in our country: the Vietnam war, Watergate, and the 
integration of the public schools all contributed to an uneasy climate. 
But no matter what was going on outside the home, Carolyn and Royal 
made sure their home was a safe and loving place.
  Carolyn was a stay-at-home mother until her youngest started first 
grade. At that time, she began to prepare for her second career, a 
tutor for children with learning disabilities. Carolyn worked for many 
years at the Potomac School in McLean, VA.
  As she raised her family, Carolyn held a number of stake and ward 
leadership positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day 
Saints, including Relief Society president and Young Women's president. 
Her faith has always been an integral part of Carolyn's life. For many 
years, Carolyn and Royal have served in the Bella Vista Spanish Ward, 
where they are dearly loved. Carolyn also served with Royal as area 
humanitarian missionaries in Colombia and Venezuela. Carolyn continues 
her service as a worker in the Washington, DC, temple.
  As a mother and a grandmother, Carolyn has worked to create family 
memories and traditions. She decorates her home for all the holidays 
and takes great pride in having fresh flowers, candles, lovely dishes, 
and table arrangements. Every Christmas, her grandchildren put on a 
Christmas program. Every Easter features an egg hunt at her home. 
Birthdays and other milestones are always celebrated with a special 
family dinner.
  Most years, Carolyn and Royal host the entire family for a weekly 
trip to the Outer Banks, NC. The family cherishes this time as it has 
contributed to lasting memories and close ties between siblings and 
cousins alike.
  People are the treasures of Carolyn's life. She relishes the company 
of her friends in her book club and her social group, ``The Times 
Club.'' She travels to Utah regularly to reconnect with her high school 
and college friends.
  Her 12 grandchildren are the lights of her life. She regularly 
attends school and church function featuring her grandchildren. She 
never misses a single one of her grandchildren's plays or concerts, and 
she travels regularly to Kansas to see her grandchildren participate in 
student government activities, cheerleading, and playing sports. 
Carolyn helps her grandchildren as they make the transition into 
adulthood by supporting them on their LDS missions, foreign travel, 
career development, and assisting with wedding preparations.
  Carolyn Lucile McDonald Shipp is the embodiment of service, love, and 
compassion. It is a privilege to help her celebrate her 80th birthday.

                          ____________________