Barbara Ann Barben Ashton died January 26, 2020 at the age of 82 in Draper, Utah. Barbara was born to Delmas \"Dell\" Lorenzo Barben and Charlotte \"Lottie\" Valorie (Schulz) Barben on March 21, 1937 and was preceded in death by her husband, Homer Timpson Ashton and her brother, James Barben.
Barbara and Homer were married on September 6, 1961 in the Salt Lake City Temple, and raised four daughters—Leslie Ashton, Kristi (Ted) Paulsen, Michelle (Brett) Barnes and Heather (Robert) Redding. She is beloved by her 12 grandchildren—Bryce Ashton, Lyndsey (Tony) Skanchy, LeAnn (Nate) Nielsen, Brett (Kristen) Paulsen, Mimi (Benson) Killpack, Johnny Paulsen, Jacob and Tyler Barnes, Sandra, Rex, DeeDee, and Emi Redding, as well as, 6 great-grandchildren—James, Ryan, Beth and Preston Skanchy, Lucy Nielsen and Luke Paulsen.
At the age of 5, Barbara was diagnosed with Polio which greatly impacted her life, as she lived with various health issues which limited her physical abilities.
However, her life with "post-Polio" did not limit her ability to develop her artistic talents such as the painting of landscapes, seascapes, castles, temples, still life, as well as pastel portraits, calligraphy, and even a commissioned rendering of a family-friendly child safety board game. Her family shared a joint compassion and admiration for how Barbara chose to find happiness, silliness and joy in life amid many years of chronic pain and health problems. Her smile and laughter will be remembered most by those who loved and knew her.
Barbara loved growing up San Francisco, CA and Salt Lake City, UT with three younger siblings, James Barben, Nancy Foote and Debbie Lyding. Barbara graduated from West High School, where she met and dated Homer. Barbara attended the University of Utah until 1962, when she married Homer and moved to San Francisco, where Homer graduated from Dental School. Barbara faithfully supported her husband who served as a Captain in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1970 in Fort Benning, GA, Fort Sam in San Antonio, TX and the Muenchweiler Army Hospital as a dentist in Germany. Upon returning to the United States, Barbara and Homer moved their family to Tulelake, CA, then to Provo, UT and lastly to various cities in Southern California. After Homer's death in 2003, Barbara mourned him in Huntington Beach, CA for two years and then returned to Utah to be cared for by her two oldest daughters, Leslie and Kristi, as well as her many grandchildren.
Barbara was a loving and devoted wife to Homer, the love of her life, and together they enjoyed remodeling and redecorating their many homes and cabins, traveling to visit family, attending temples, and being semi-retired together during Homer's last years. Barbara had a testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel, and served faithfully in many positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Barbara had many names she cherished, which included \"Dear", \"Mom\", \"Bamma\", \"Stister\", \"Aunt Barbara\" and \"Babs.\" Her four daughters (present during her passing), sisters, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all love her dearly and will miss her immeasurably.
Funeral services were held Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at the Larkin Mortuary in Salt Lake City, Utah.
