Linda Lee Ashby's Obituary
Linda Lee Ashby
1938 ~ 2023
Our dear mother, Linda Lee Ashby, passed away on April 15, 2023 following a bout with pneumonia. She was 84 years old. Linda was born in Salt Lake City, UT on December 31, 1938 to Cal Ellis Lee and Emily Goodfellow of Woods Cross, UT. Her mother passed away when Linda was 4 years old. She was the youngest of three children. Later, Linda’s father married Mary E. McQuiston who raised her to adulthood along with her siblings and a new younger brother.
Her father was a farmer in Woods Cross, UT. Later, the family moved to Ontario, Oregon to continue farming where her father and elder brother became well-known in the region. Linda grew up in the fields spending long hours tending to potatoes, onions, sugar beets and other crops. She learned to be a hard worker, a trait that would define the remainder of her life. She attended Vale High School in Vale, Oregon where she enjoyed cheerleading and sports.
When Linda was18 yrs old, she met Ralph Hill Ashby at a church function. He would drive by the farm on his way to work; honk and wave to her every day while she was working the fields. She began to anticipate his daily drive-by. It wasn’t long before they fell in love. Ralph was 13 years her senior, which didn’t set well with her family at first, but Linda was smitten and never noticed the age difference. Ralph and Linda became engaged on her high school graduation night. She received her engagement ring in a handkerchief Ralph passed to her while she was walking in the procession line.
Linda and Ralph were married on September 3, 1957 in the Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They lived in Vale, Oregon for 18 months and then moved to Ogden, UT with their little boy. Their lives were filled with hard work and church service. Linda became a “bishop’s wife” in their early years of marriage. She served in many callings including Relief Society president. Together, Linda raised a family of two boys and five girls. She always said, “her greatest accomplishments were her 7 children”.
Linda and Ralph’s mantra was ‘love at home’. Not only was it their favorite song, but they emphasized; by example, that all of their children be kind, loving, forgiving and serve one another. Bickering and quarreling had no place in the home. For this, their children are forever grateful and blessed. Linda lived her final days surrounded by children she knows are firm in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, love and respect each other, and have taught her posterity to do the same.
Linda is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, her sister Dixie Griffin and brother Glenn Lee. She is survived by her brother, Gordon Lee, her children Rick (Susan) Ashby, Karlyn (Garth) Braithwaite, Kaylene (Tom) Checketts, Ralyn (Dave) VanBeekum, Karleeta (Kirk) Jardine, Daryn (Deborah) Ashby and Karla (Mitch) Simpson; 35 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Beehive Homes of Syracuse for its excellent care and personal services, Tender Care Hospice, and Premier Funeral Services; the Farr West 11th Ward, friends and extended family members.
A viewing will be held in her honor from 11:00 to 1:00 on Saturday, April 29th at the Farr West 11th Ward building, 2565 W. 3300 N., Farr West, UT; followed by a family graveside service. Interment at the West Haven City Cemetery, 1550 S. 2350 W., West Haven, UT. Family and invited friends may return to the ward building for a luncheon hosted by the Farr West 11th Ward Relief Society.
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