Helen Louise Ashford

Just missing her 92 birthday by 28 days, Helen Louise Ashford, passed away of natural causes on January 26, 2016, at Park Visalia Assisted Living. Helen was born in Mesa, AZ on Feb. 23, 1924. She is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Roy L. Ashford who passed in 1995, and her parents Clarence and Nora May Rice, brother Clyde, and sister Virginia Ball.

She is survived by her three daughters and sons-in-law, all of CA; Linda & (Darel) Scoggin of Cathey’s Valley, Nancy & (Danny) Crawford of Visalia, Kathy & (Gary) Haskin of Escalon; & by her Grandchildren, Debra & (Jeff) Hansen, Sue & (Bill) Billups, Brandi & (Dominic) Ross, Shane Crawford & (Jenny Ruiz); & by her Great-Grandchildren; Jennifer, Olivia, and Alexandra Hansen, Joseph and Bradley Enay, Emma Crawford & an expectant Baby Boy Ross. Helen graduated from Visalia Union High School at the age of 16 yrs. Helen's first job was as a waitress inside the old McDonalds Drive-In/Café on the corner of Center & Floral St., and later she worked 25+ years in Montgomery Ward’s Catalog Dept. on Main St., & also when Wards moved to Noble Ave.

Helen lived most of her life (a total of 70 years) in the home at the corner of Houston Ave. and Conyer St. here in Visalia CA. Helen & her parents moved into that home when she was 12. After she and Roy married in March 2nd, 1941, they purchased that house in 1945. This home was admired by all for the beautiful flowers, the well-kept house, lawns & gardens.

Helen had many talents. All her life, she did lots of sewing for herself & her three daughters, including their wedding dresses. She could freeze, can, make jams & jellies from produce on the property, & she was known as a great cook. She was a good amateur photographer & kept great family records with photos & note-keeping...& she never missed doing the Sunday crossword puzzles. From about 70, she began taking speedy two-mile walks each weekday to Center St. and back. Up until the age of 85, her only previous stays in the hospital were to deliver her three girls. Helen was a beloved matriarch of the family, and her presence will be dearly missed.

Helen belonged to the original Visalia Court St. Church of Christ & she had a beautiful alto singing voice & loved to sing Christian songs. She & other church women recorded a couple of records of Christian songs, & those songs will be played at her funeral service.

The family would especially like to thank Park Visalia Assisted Living for their awesome care of Helen these past 5+ years.

Memorial donations (if you are so inclined), may be made to Helen’s favorite charities: American Cancer Society (cancer.org), The Cleft Lip Charity (Smiletrain.org), Veterans of Foreign Wars (vfw.org), or March of Dimes (marchofdimes.org).

Viewing will be held Monday, Feb. 1st, at 4 to 8 PM, & her ‘Celebration of Life” funeral will be Tuesday, Feb. 2nd, at 10:30 AM. Both services are at the Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., in Visalia CA 93277.