Blanche Parkin Ashton

Blanche Parkin Ashton, age 96, of Elgin, died Sunday, July 17, 2005 at her home. Blanche died as she had lived, with courage, strength and impatient nature to get on with what lay ahead. A graveside service will begin at 2:00 p.m. Mountain Time (1:00 p.m. Pacific Time) at the McCall Cemetery in McCall, Idaho on Friday, July 22, 2005. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Chapel of the Valley.



Blanche celebrated her 96th birthday on May 28, 2005. On June 9th while mixing bread she fell and broke her hip. After hip surgery she started therapy so she would be able to walk again and go home to live independently. After seven days in a care center, congestive heart failure put her in the hospital again. When the time came for her release from the hospital she ask the family to take her home as she didn't have the strength to go on and the family found the courage and strength to follow her wishes. With the help of Hospice, they took her home where she died in her sleep.



Blanche was born in West Bountiful, Utah, on May 28, 1909 to George and Jessie (Mann) Parkin. She was the seventh child in a family of ten. Life in the early 1900's was a struggle for many families, Blanches included. Her schooling finished after the 8th grade when she stayed home to help her Mother with the housework and cooking for their large family. Marriage at the age of sixteen soon ended in divorce but she was blessed with two daughters, Loraine and Barbara. While living on her parents' ranch in Wyoming she met and married Joe Ashton on September 3, 1930. Over the next ten years two boys, George and Joel and two girls, Mona and Idella, were added to this union. Tragedy came into their life when at the age of two their youngest son, Joel, died of pneumonia. Over the years Blanche and Joe lived in Wyoming, Utah and Idaho, with both of them working hard to support their family. Joe died in 1961 and for the first time in her life, Blanche went to work outside of the home doing maid work for ten years. She retired then and moved to Utah to be near family. In 1990 her last move was made to Elgin where she lived for fifteen years.



Blanche was a super cook, making wonderful meals with little money. She was known for her bread and roll making, which she did up until a month before her death. Her sense of humor, generous and loving nature, endured her to friends, neighbors and family alike. Working in her flower and vegetable gardens, along with knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting, making pine needle baskets and reading kept her busy. Blanche was very proud of her large family and delighted in telling everyone how many grandchildren she had. Visits from all of her family members enriched her life. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her. She also enjoyed dog sitting George's dog, Goldie.



Survivors include her children and their spouses, Loraine and Steve Smith of Morgan, Utah, Barbara and Jim Stephens of McCalister, Oklahoma, George Ashton of Elgin, Mona and Jerry Park of Centerville, Utah and Idella and Herb Allen of Joseph; 24 grandchildren; 83 great grandchildren; 53 great great grandchildren; sisters, Jessie Boulton of Woods Cross, Utah and Elisa "Peggy" Dickson of Green River, Wyoming; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by 6 brothers and one sister.



Those who wish may make contributions in her memory of the Elgin Library or Air life of Oregon in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, OR 97850.