My mother, the pilot of the PONTIAC ROCKET; seamstress on the OLD SINGER SEWING MACHINE; and mender of BROKEN things has retruned to her Heavenly home. How we will miss her!
Afton Parrish Hansen, 88, gracefully stepped into eternity on August 22nd, 2012 from her home in Farmington, Utah. She was lovingly surrounded by the ones to whom she had given life. Though her heart was stilled, her love and influence live on.
Born November 13, 1923 in Blackfoot ID to George Washington Parrish and Elizabeth May Wood, she spent her childhood embracing the world around her, gathering asparagus from canal beds and cutting ice from the Snake River for the old Parrish Ice house. She was fearless and creative; hard working and driven. Her devotion to her family and her Lord kept her centered through a sometimes tumultuous life.
Afton was a deeply devoted mother who rose above her own struggles to provide for her seven children; Sharon Davis; Susan (Steve) Taylor; John (Jennifer) Hansen; George C. (Cyndy) Hansen; Ann Marie (Michael) Mullen; Corinne (David) Connors; and Elizabeth Hansen. Her children call her blessed, as do her 11 living grandchildren and their families, including 16 great grandchildren. We are comforted to imagine a joyful reunion with those who preceded her in death; including her grandson Clayton Hansen; her parents; four beloved sisters and four brothers. She is survived by her sisters Mae Merkley of Blackfoot, ID and Rebecca (Richard) Miskin of Ammon ID, as well as all her children, remaining grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A skilled fisherman, she enjoyed the natural beauties of her home state. In 1963 Afton moved with her family from Idaho to Pittsburgh, PA. When she found herself a single parent she began a career path in sales that eventually led to a successful career as a Real Estate Agent and Broker. She was a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Club and a GRI graduate. She became one of the top selling agents in the Pittsburgh area. In 1982 she moved to Farmington Utah and continued her success in Real Estate. Her relationships with her clients deeply broadened her circle of friends, as her open heart seemed to bond people to her quickly. She truly loved the people she served.
A devotee of the arts, Afton took advantage of the opportunities afforded when she lived in PA. She spent Saturdays with her children at Carnegie Museum; took spontaneous trips to historic places in the eastern US, from bustling cities to quiet hamlets in upstate New York with sacred groves and hillsides. She recognized the beauties and opportunities around her and sacrificed in order to provide cultural enrichment to herself and her children. She was a world traveler, accompanying her daughter Libby on many international excursions. She appreciated good art, lovely writing and fine music, embracing many musical forms, and she encouraged her children and others to find and develop their talents. She taught her grandchildren to love poetry, and they can recite to this day the poems they learned at her knees.
Faithful to the end, she lived what she believed. Her devotion to, and confidence in, her Savior Jesus Christ was central in her life. And yet she allowed all people full access to her heart regardless of their beliefs. She was so well loved, by so many, because she loved so well.
Her physical challenges necessitated assistance in her waning years, and her family is eternally indebted to her youngest daughter, Libby, for her devotion, diligence, tenderness and personal sacrifice as she cared for our mother’s every need. Afton was able to live and die with great dignity because of the devotion of our sister.
The family also acknowledges with gratitude the exceptional care of Dr. Bruce Burtenshaw, as well as the tender attention and skill offered by Sharon Christensen with Rocky Mountain Hospice.
Friends and family may gather at the Hansen residence, 832 Emerald Oaks Court, Farmington, UT 84025 from 6-8 pm on Sunday, August 26. Additionally they may visit at the historic Rock Chapel of the LDS Church at 272 No Main St. in Farmington from 10:30 -11:30 am on Monday, Aug 27th. Funeral services will follow at noon.
We will lay our matriarch’s earthly body to rest in Farmington City Cemetery. Her passion…her good humor…her dedication and devotion…her love without end…these we will keep forever alive in the memories we cherish and the way we live our lives.
Yeah she shot straight through
Yeah her aim was true
Flying in our great big blue
Pontiac Rocket.
Cori,
I was so sorry to hear about your mother passing. I didn’t know until today when I was on your blog looking for your Christmas concert. My deep condolences to you and your family. I know Libby was a loving and dedicated care-giver as I am sure you all were. What would we do without the gospel? It is such a strength and comfort even though there is a journey of grief which must be travelled. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cheryl Linford
Dear Cheryl –
Thank you for your tender words, and your lasting and loving friendship. We adore our mother, in death as in life, and the separation is painful indeed. It’s especially hard in that the people I love most also suffer at the loss. We are sometimes a sorry cluster of blubbering misfits! But we are the product of her love as well, and hope to be able to pay tribute to her by the way we continue to live our lives.
Thanks for thinking of us, and taking the time to communicate. We love you!
Cori
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