Our sweet mother, grandmother and friend passed away peacefully on February 9, 2014, at the age of 87. She was born June 29, 1926, in Preston, Nevada, to James and Mary (Marie) Ashworth. She graduated from White Pine County High School in 1944 and on November 9, 1945, married Delice A Blackham in Ely, Nevada. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Del and Laurie raised their three children in the home Del built in Holladay and they enjoyed many wonderful years there. After their children married, they moved to a cozy home Del built in Cottonwood Heights and mom remained there after dad\s passing in 1999. Although she and dad lived in Utah, Nevada always seemed like home. Mom loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and she expressed many times that she had a wonderful life. What she valued most was her family and her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 2001, Laurie married Ronald S. Beckstrom and they enjoyed just a few short years together prior to Ron\s passing in 2004. Laurie had a beautiful singing voice and has probably joined the choirs in heaven. She said many times that she will miss her family and her good friend, Barbara, but is \"excited to see what they are doing there.\"
Laurie is survived by two of her children: Ron and Mary Ann Blackham and Jeri and Curt Clayton, nine grandchildren and their spouses, and 26 great grandchildren with two more on the way. She was preceded in death by her son, Kent, and grandson, Corey. A special thank you to those who visited and cared for mom and to the Hospice nurses for their care and assistance.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 13, 2014, at 12 noon in the Brighton 5th Ward Chapel, 2327 East Bengal Blvd. Viewings will be held Wednesday, February 12, 2014, 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South) and Thursday, one hour prior to the services at the church. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens. Online condolences welcomed at www.larkincares.com.
