Shirley Thomas Ashworth

SHIRLEY ASHWORTH IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Shirley Ashworth, 79, died March 7, 2006, in Boise, Idaho. Shirley Jayne Thomas was born July 22, 1926, in Greenville, Utah, to Sarah Esther Barton Thomas and Richard Rees Thomas. She had three brothers and six sisters. She attended Belnap Grade School and Beaver High School, in Beaver, Utah. As a child she enjoyed riding horses, singing, playing her clarinet, playing with and teasing her brothers and sisters, and doing chores on the farm. In 1944, she married Jason Ashworth and they moved to Idaho Falls. They had three children. Mom worked a variety of odd jobs to make enough money to buy the extra things for the children; she was a waitress, a bank teller, a bookkeeper, she sorted potatoes and sewed dance costumes. She was a tireless worker and loved to sew and knit. Mom was always involved in civic activities. She was very active in the BPO Does; twice she served as president of the Idaho Falls Drove. She was selected as Doe of the Year twice. Using her knitting machine, she designed a sweater for the Does and made 134 sweaters for Does across the nation. She was also active in the Easter Seal Society, Mental Health Association and assisted with voting and voter registration. Mom was an outgoing, vibrant person who could be seen running all over Idaho Falls in her little green bug, helping her friends. Mom loved to play with her family; they were the love of her life. She loved her Jay, her kids and grandkids; she doted on them continually. She was the ultimate Grandma; each one of them knew that they were “Grandma’s favorite.” She and Dad bought an acre of land in Island Park and were up there almost every weekend, fishing and boating in the summer or riding snow machines in the winter with her family and dear friends. Mom is survived by her husband Jay, daughter Gaye (Don) Shaff of Boise, daughter Jacilyn (Richard) Schiffern of Idaho Falls, son Lonny (Vicki) Ashworth of Boise, twelve grandchildren, one great grandchild, two sisters, Alice Swindlehurst and Nell Smith of Beaver, Utah, multiple nieces, nephews, and her best friend and confidant Alice Harris Bennett. Mom was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and four sisters. Thank you, Mom, for everything you taught us; we love you dearly and will never forget you. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 11, 2006, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends Friday from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday for one hour before services, both at Wood Funeral Home. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. -------------------------------------------------------- Condolences sent onlline: Kim Hanni Crawley (kimibaby1972@yahoo.com) Dear Jay and family, I am so sorry for your loss. "Grandma Shirley" was so good to my sister and I. We loved talking to her on the CB and seeing the new creatures she had for us to hold. All my memories of Island Park include you and your wife laughing with us and taking us fishing. I am very grateful for the friendship I had with your wife and mom. Love, Kim Hanni Crawley KC and Fay Lloyd (lloyd@srv.net) We are sorry to hear about Shirley. She was a fine lady. KC enjoyed working with her at Norman Supply. You are in our hearts and prayers. KC and Fay Lloyd, Pat and Jamie Lloyd Barb Bagley (vbagley1@msn.com) Deepest sympathies to all the Ashworth family.