Carma Dean (Mottonen) Edwards

Carma Dean was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to Julius and Elnora Mottonen. She loved music and growing up she sang and played the accordion. She graduated from South High School and married Walter Edwards, whom she met while working at the S.H. Kress department store in Salt Lake City. Walt’s career meant they lived in different locations in Colorado and California, before moving to the east coast. Carma worked as a secretary and office manager throughout her career. In Arlington, Virginia she worked many years for USLICO, a life insurance company which served military members and their families. Upon retiring, Carma was involved with an Arlington chapter of the Red Hat Society. She enjoyed museum visits with her group of friends, as well as opportunities to get to know others. She was proud of being from Utah, being the wife of a US Marine, as well as being Finnish-American; throughout her life she demonstrated the Suomi concept of “Sisu.” Carma was a dear friend to many.

Her beloved husband of 66 years, Walter Edwards, died in November 2018. Survivors include her daughter Terilee Edwards-Hewitt, her son Bradley Phillip Edwards, her brother Douglas Mottonen, family and friends in Salt Lake City, Utah and nieces and nephews in the Milford, MA area.

Friends may call during a visitation with family on May 19th, 2019 from 3-6pm at

Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Rd, Springfield, VA 22151.

Burial with be along side her husband at Quantico National Cemetery on May 20th at 1pm at 18424 Joplin Rd, Triangle, VA 22172.

In honor of Carma’s caring about people, if you wish, we are suggesting a donation in her name to the Greater Salt Lake City Boys and Girls Club at www.gslclubs.org/donate.html