Emma Lucy (Lou) Gates Ashton
"Our Angel Mother"
Emma Lucy Gates Ashton 'returned with honor' after a life filled with devotion and dedication to her family and church.
Lou was born in Salt Lake City Sept. 8, 1919 to Gweneth W. Gibbs and B. Cecil Gates, and spent her early childhood surrounded by the inspiring music of her father. At age eight her father became ill with a muscle disease and, due to family conditions, Lou spent the next seven years living with various relatives. She graduated from Las Vegas High School at age 15, and attended the University of Utah.
Lou married Reed Ashton in the Salt Lake Temple on November 22, 1940. They eventually built their home on Capitol Hill among dear relatives. Lou devoted her life to raising her six children and caring for her husband, while running a small business of her father's music. She read extensively, could out-fish most any family member, and prepared delicious home-cooked meals from any item in the pantry. She loved family, church, order in the home, Friday night out with Reed, Republicans, chocolate on the sly, and singing her father's music. She was an excellent seamstress, and, when time allowed, enjoyed mountain getaways in their motor home. Lou was active in the DUP, held many church positions, worked in the temple, and particularly enjoyed serving a seven year stake mission among the Laotians.
Lou was preceded in death by her husband, Reed, as well as three sisters and one brother. She is survived by her six children, David (Sandy), Dennis (Joan), Ron (Vicki), Kathy Harper (Brent), Jane Norton (Kent), and Jon (Pat), and 27 grandchildren, and 41 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be on Saturday Nov. 3, at 11 a.m. in the Capitol Hill Ward, 413 N. West Capitol. Friends and family may call Friday, 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, and Sat. at the ward one hour prior to services. Interment, Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. Online condolences at www.larkinmortuary.com