Jane Marie Ashton Norton
March 3, 1953 — June 29, 2022
Jane Marie Ashton Norton
Jane Marie Ashton Norton, our earthbound angel, returned to her heavenly home on June 29, 2022, ending a selfless mortal journey spent entirely in the service of others. Her death came suddenly and unexpectedly, and in an instant our world changed immeasurably. Her legacy is one of beautiful simplicity - become as a little child, and come unto the Savior.
She was born March 3, 1953 in Salt Lake City, to Reed and Lou Ashton. She lived on Capitol Hill with her 4 brothers and 1 sister, and grew up enjoying the beautiful sights and rich history of downtown Salt Lake. She graduated from West High, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from the University of Utah. While attending the U and singing in the LDS Institute Choir, her angelic voice lifted above the rest and caught the ear of Kent Norton. They dated for 9 months and were married for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on a beautiful summer day, June 25th, 1974. Over the years they welcomed their 4 nearly-perfect children, and they settled in Holladay in 1976 where they would make their home until 2016.
Janie saw each day as an opportunity to show her love for others and the Lord simply by serving. Delicious meals, clean laundry, and scrubbed floors were followed by neighbor visits, help with homework, and service in whatever church or community role she had devoted herself to. When she had some moments of free time…she found someone else to serve. Never one to enjoy a dramatic or somber tone, Jane loved to fill her home and world with simple joy and warm laughter, which she achieved most often by regaling/torturing her family with the most excellent puns. She didn’t mind making a terrific mess, or any work required on her part, so long as it brought joy and light to her family.
As her children grew and began their own families, she received the title she treasured most: Grandma. Her childlike nature and love drew her towards these little ones, and at family gatherings she could always be found playing games and making messes with her grandkids, while the boring adults sat around and talked. When a baby needed a nap, she felt the best way to give them a good rest was to simply snuggle up and take a nap with them in her tender arms. For these grand babies and for her own children, she was their safe haven and soft place to land.
Jane’s kind and loving heart stemmed from her devotion to the Savior, and her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She had pure, simple faith that kept her focused on the Savior’s admonition to “Love One Another.” She enjoyed serving in the Relief Society and sharing her beautiful voice in the choir; while she didn’t relish public speaking, her love of music was her favorite way to express her deep testimony of the gospel. But her favorite callings were naturally those serving the children and youth. Her hand-made “candy apron” was donned for years as Primary Music Leader, always full of sweets for the children as they sang. Music, kids, and candy - what could be better!
Though sudden and unexpected, her passing brings the opportunity to lovingly reflect on what was unique to her, and celebrate the immeasurable and priceless lessons taught by her life of love and laughter. We are so deeply grateful to Heavenly Father and Mother for the gift of this extraordinary spirit. She is now safely home. Despite our heartache, it is the privilege of our lives to mourn deeply her passing and honor her exemplary life.
She is survived by her eternal companion Kent; her children Amy Lifferth (Kelly) and children Jackson and Kara Weech, and Will Lifferth; Susie Strong (Jeremy), and children Ellie, Tommy, Stephen, and Jacob; Kristen Harmon (Colby), and children Emma, Adam, Lily and Henry; and Dave Norton (Brooklyn), and children Dexter, Carter, and Archer; her siblings Dave (Jean), Ron (Vicki), Kathy Harper (Brent), Jon (Pat), and sister-in-law Joni Fairclough (Michael). She is preceded in death by her parents, Reed Earl Ashton and Emma Lucy Gates Ashton, and her big brother Dennis (Joni).
We express heartfelt thanks to the wonderful medical professionals at Intermountain Medical Center, and their colleagues at Donor Connect, for their tireless efforts and tender care - not only for Janie, but also for her grieving loved ones. We will always appreciate and never forget them.
Viewing services will be held Thursday, July 7th from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Sandy Crescent Ridge Stake Center (1265 E 11000 S, Sandy, UT 84094), and Friday, July 8th from 9:30-10:45 am. A celebratory memorial service will begin at 11:00 am, followed by a graveside dedication at Larkin Sunset Gardens (1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, UT 84092).
The service will be livestreamed on the Goff Mortuary Facebook Page at the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Funeral-Service---Cemetery/Goff-Mortuary-116988261695382/
(The livestream video will appear when the service starts.)
She was born March 3, 1953 in Salt Lake City, to Reed and Lou Ashton. She lived on Capitol Hill with her 4 brothers and 1 sister, and grew up enjoying the beautiful sights and rich history of downtown Salt Lake. She graduated from West High, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from the University of Utah. While attending the U and singing in the LDS Institute Choir, her angelic voice lifted above the rest and caught the ear of Kent Norton. They dated for 9 months and were married for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on a beautiful summer day, June 25th, 1974. Over the years they welcomed their 4 nearly-perfect children, and they settled in Holladay in 1976 where they would make their home until 2016.
Janie saw each day as an opportunity to show her love for others and the Lord simply by serving. Delicious meals, clean laundry, and scrubbed floors were followed by neighbor visits, help with homework, and service in whatever church or community role she had devoted herself to. When she had some moments of free time…she found someone else to serve. Never one to enjoy a dramatic or somber tone, Jane loved to fill her home and world with simple joy and warm laughter, which she achieved most often by regaling/torturing her family with the most excellent puns. She didn’t mind making a terrific mess, or any work required on her part, so long as it brought joy and light to her family.
As her children grew and began their own families, she received the title she treasured most: Grandma. Her childlike nature and love drew her towards these little ones, and at family gatherings she could always be found playing games and making messes with her grandkids, while the boring adults sat around and talked. When a baby needed a nap, she felt the best way to give them a good rest was to simply snuggle up and take a nap with them in her tender arms. For these grand babies and for her own children, she was their safe haven and soft place to land.
Jane’s kind and loving heart stemmed from her devotion to the Savior, and her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She had pure, simple faith that kept her focused on the Savior’s admonition to “Love One Another.” She enjoyed serving in the Relief Society and sharing her beautiful voice in the choir; while she didn’t relish public speaking, her love of music was her favorite way to express her deep testimony of the gospel. But her favorite callings were naturally those serving the children and youth. Her hand-made “candy apron” was donned for years as Primary Music Leader, always full of sweets for the children as they sang. Music, kids, and candy - what could be better!
Though sudden and unexpected, her passing brings the opportunity to lovingly reflect on what was unique to her, and celebrate the immeasurable and priceless lessons taught by her life of love and laughter. We are so deeply grateful to Heavenly Father and Mother for the gift of this extraordinary spirit. She is now safely home. Despite our heartache, it is the privilege of our lives to mourn deeply her passing and honor her exemplary life.
She is survived by her eternal companion Kent; her children Amy Lifferth (Kelly) and children Jackson and Kara Weech, and Will Lifferth; Susie Strong (Jeremy), and children Ellie, Tommy, Stephen, and Jacob; Kristen Harmon (Colby), and children Emma, Adam, Lily and Henry; and Dave Norton (Brooklyn), and children Dexter, Carter, and Archer; her siblings Dave (Jean), Ron (Vicki), Kathy Harper (Brent), Jon (Pat), and sister-in-law Joni Fairclough (Michael). She is preceded in death by her parents, Reed Earl Ashton and Emma Lucy Gates Ashton, and her big brother Dennis (Joni).
We express heartfelt thanks to the wonderful medical professionals at Intermountain Medical Center, and their colleagues at Donor Connect, for their tireless efforts and tender care - not only for Janie, but also for her grieving loved ones. We will always appreciate and never forget them.
Viewing services will be held Thursday, July 7th from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Sandy Crescent Ridge Stake Center (1265 E 11000 S, Sandy, UT 84094), and Friday, July 8th from 9:30-10:45 am. A celebratory memorial service will begin at 11:00 am, followed by a graveside dedication at Larkin Sunset Gardens (1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, UT 84092).
The service will be livestreamed on the Goff Mortuary Facebook Page at the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Funeral-Service---Cemetery/Goff-Mortuary-116988261695382/
(The livestream video will appear when the service starts.)
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