Martha Barton Horman Ashby Pugmire's Obituary
Forever in Our Hearts
Our beautiful, loving Mother, Grandmother, Aunt & Friend passed on to her Savior and her eternal family on February 2, 2024, just 20 days shy of her 101st birthday.
Martha was born in Greenville, Utah on February 22, 1923 to Phillip Jackson and Martha Horman Barton. She grew up during the Great Depression but the love and hard work she learned from her parents taught her to serve others and made her childhood a wonderful time in her life.
She graduated from Beaver High School where she served as Secretary and Treasurer of her Senior class. She sang in a trio throughout high school with her sister, Virginia, and their friend, Maxine, and they were even on the radio. Martha loved dancing and especially to the Big Band music during the 40’s.
The 2nd World War has never left her memories, especially the death of her dear brother, Jack, who was a test pilot in the Army Air Corp. She remembered Pearl Harbor and cried when she talked about the war.
She married John Horman in the early 40’s and they were blessed with 2 wonderful children, John Scott and Martha Kaye. Her happiest days were raising her family. Her family was sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.
Martha worked for Dr. Richard Baird as his Dental Business Manager for 25 years. She loved his family, especially his daughter, Cheryl.
Martha so enjoyed organizing the many Horman family reunions. She was a great cook and made pies to die for. Her banana cream pie is still legendary! She made dinner every night and Sunday night her table was covered with everything, including her famous relish tray and homemade bread. She often made Thanksgiving dinner for her own family and then made it for her sister’s, Virginia’s, family as well.
Martha was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as a teacher in Primary, Sunday School and Mutual for 16 years. She was a teacher in Relief Society and a Visiting Teacher for 27 years. After so many years, she still had contact with some of her laurel class. She was also an ordinance worker at the Jordan River Temple.
Her husband, John, passed away from cancer in 1977 after 32 years with his family.
Martha married Eldon Ashby in 1979. They loved their time with each other serving in their Church and their many trips traveling with their trailer. After 25 happy years together, Eldon passed away from cancer in 2002.
She married Glen Pugmire in 2012 and they spent 2 wonderful years together until he passed away with cancer in 2014.
She is survived by her daughter, Kaye (Phillip) Babcock, Grandchildren Travis Babcock, Daniel Babcock (Wendy), Allison Babcock Burns (Michael), Spencer Babcock, Tyler Babcock (Emma), Chad Horman (Marnie), Derrik Horman (Kristie), Erika Horman Steed (Adam), 21 Great-Grandchildren, 1 Great-Granddaughter, loving nieces and nephews and many wonderful friends. She is preceded in death by her son, John Scott Horman (Karen).
Martha smiled her way through life and loved people, especially her family! Thank you to Spring Gardens for their love and kindness for the last almost 5 years and Tendercare Hospice in the last days.
Funeral Services will be held on February 17, 2024 at 12:00 noon at the Little Cottonwood 9th Ward, 1160 East Vine Street, Murray, Utah, where friends may call 11:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. Interment, Murray City Cemetery. Directors, Premier Funeral Services.
Zoom link for funeral:
https://zoom.us/j/91551988272?pwd=Ulllem51bEpPbG9VYmtlejF3ZWFVUT09
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Share a story where Martha's kindness touched your heart.
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