Edna Louise Keddington Ashton

Our dear mother, grandma and friend, Louise Ashton, was a strikingly pretty woman with a wonderful sense of humor and a strong-willed, feisty and yet fair-minded personality. She worked hard and kept her family well-organized and well-provided for, making many sacrifices to ensure a good future for her four children, especially after the sudden loss of her husband, Mark, when he was 43 years old. Louise Ashton is survived by her four children and seven grandchildren. Her departure will be deeply mourned by her loved ones, yet we are thankful for the visits we enjoyed together during her last weeks of life.

Louise was born a year after her mother’s twin sister passed away, and was given her aunt’s name, Edna, but the family always called her Louise. She was the youngest of 8 children, and was born to her parents when her mother was 46 yrs. old and her father was 49. Her father adored her and her mother was a very funny and loving person, delightful to be with. Although she was very bright, funny, and had a beautiful singing voice, Louise downplayed her talents and her life with humility.

Louise graduated from East High in Salt Lake City, and then from the University of Utah as a business major. Her classmates in high school and college were very fond of her, often remarking that she was always there to listen, comfort, and advise. She was particularly popular with the young men, in part because she was so clever and humorous, often disrupting classes or lightening the ambience at school with her quick-witted observations!

In 1960, Louise married Mark Ashton, a former high school classmate. They had both been members of the East High A Cappella Club, as well as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. They started dating when Mark was flying out of Hill Air Force Base, where Louise was working in an office position. They were a striking couple, according to tales told by their nieces and nephews in Salt Lake City. Louise had an elegant flair for fashion, and looked like a very tall, thin version of Elizabeth Taylor; and Mark looked very much like James Garner.

In 1969, the couple moved to the Seattle area, a region that Louise adored because of the mountain views, evergreen trees, elaborate waterways, refreshing rains, and cool temperatures. Mark and Louise had four children, and they built a lovely home and a log cabin together, treating their kids to many camping trips, weekend outings, and family vacations.

Mark passed away suddenly at the young age of 43, leaving Louise with a terrible sense of loss and decades of difficult family and financial responsibilities, all of which she handled with remarkable skill and determination.

From the age of 16 to 60, Louise was musically and socially active in school operas and city choirs; she sang with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Seattle Symphony Chorale, and the University of Washington’s choral group on tour in Australia. She always sang First Soprano, and was blessed with an unusually pure and clear singing tone, like that of a gifted child. Louise met her dear friend and companion, Lynn, during the years they sang together with the Seattle Symphony Chorale.

Louise was passionately interested in current events and politics, referring to herself as the “news junky.“ She also believed strongly in civil rights, treating others with fairness and consideration, and went out of her way to show appreciation for the staff of nearly any establishment. Louise and her companion, Lynn, enjoyed some marvelous trips together throughout Europe. She loved the Italian language and people, and she thoroughly reveled in conversing with the people of Ireland and Scotland, resonating with their zany sense of humor! Lynn and Louise were also avid theatergoers, and fully appreciated the many theatrical productions performed in Seattle and in Ashland, Oregon from the 1980’s until the early 2000’s.

At the age of 70, Louise was faced with another monumental challenge when she was diagnosed with cancer and went through chemotherapy and radiation treatments. She remained determined and independent for another 17 years. She began to post a few affirmations in the kitchen, such as, “Happiness is appreciating what you have.” She also posted little items that reflected her satirical side, such as, “People don’t change; they just become more of the same.”

By nature, Louise was a logical and responsible person who was always ready and willing to help her children, and was very sincere with her love. She was a wise and caring soul, and her friends and family were drawn to seek a trusting word with her whenever in need of good counsel. Louise was our dear mother, grandmother, and friend…a pillar of strength in the family. She will be remembered with deep gratitude and love.