Shirley Mae Ashcroft Sellers Obituary (1940 - 2017)

Shirley Mae Ashcroft Sellers, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, passed away suddenly after a short battle with lung cancer on March 8, 2017. Born to Henry Bert and Lucille Palmer Ashcroft in Preston, Idaho, on January 16, 1940, Shirley grew up on a dairy farm, where she learned the value of hard work and began her lifelong love of horses. She was a fantastic seamstress, earning many 4-H ribbons. She also grew up playing softball and had a formidable pitching arm. After graduating from Preston Senior High School in 1958, Shirley moved to the Beehive House in Salt Lake City, where she attended LDS Business College and graduated in stenography in 1959. She worked for JC Penney Co. and later Utah Farm Bureau until 1969, when she became a full-time stay-at-home wife and mother — she considered this position her highest calling in life. Shirley met the love of her life, Brian Lee Sellers, and married him in the Salt Lake Temple on December 18, 1964, where they were sealed for time and eternity. She was a beautiful bride. Her son Cory was born in 1969 and her daughter Kimberlee was born in 1971. They moved to Cottonwood Heights in 1971 where Brian and Shirley have lived ever since, making and keeping many cherished friendships. Shirley was an exceptional cook and housekeeper with a talent for keeping the family organized. Her husband and children were her world — and she was theirs. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, and cross-stitching. She had a green-thumb and could keep any plant alive. Her impatiens garden and flower gardens were the envy of the neighborhood. In the last few years of her life, Shirley spent countless hours sorting through pictures and memorabilia helping to preserve precious memories while chronicling the lives of her husband, herself, and her children. For this we are most grateful. Shirley was an avid runner with her best friend Linda Thatcher for almost 40 years, where they solved the world's problems together on the trail. Never completely leaving farm life behind, she loved spending time with her daughter while riding her horses Satin and Abby. Shirley traveled extensively with her husband and family around the United States (often to watch a BYU football game), and the world (Asia, Egypt, Israel, Central America and Canada). To celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary with Brian, they chose to do an Alaskan cruise. It was important to Shirley that this milestone was celebrated with family which included both her son and daughter and their spouses. She wanted to enjoy the scenery and be surrounded with those that she loved. As a faithful member of the LDS church, Shirley served as Primary President, Young Women's President, Relief Society President, and in the Stake Relief Society Presidency. Serving in several young women's organizations for many years, she attended many girls' camps and was the talk of the camp at how meticulous she kept herself. She and Brian team-taught Sunday School together for many years. From 2003-2006, Shirley faithfully served as "Mission Mom" alongside her Mission President husband in the Korea Seoul Mission. The much-loved missionaries they served with are all considered an extension of her family. Most recently, from 2007 until 2016, Shirley served together with her husband in the Salt Lake Temple, where Shirley was an Assistant Coordinator. She resigned in the past few months because of her beginning illness. Shirley is survived by her loving husband Brian, son Cory (Jen) Sellers, daughter Kimberlee (Troy) McEwan, and her grandchildren; brother Bert (Ann) Ashcroft, sister-in-law Janet Ashcroft and sister-in-law MaryAnn Sellers. Preceded in death by her parents Henry and Lucille Ashcroft, sister Judith Ashcroft, brother Scott Ashcroft and brother-in-law Arlen Sellers. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 14, 2017, 12:00 noon at the Butler Hill Ward, 2695 East 7000 South. Viewings will be on Monday from 6:00-8:00 pm at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway (10600 So.) and on Tuesday at the church from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment Mountain View Memorial Estates. Online condolences at www.jenkins-soffe.com Funeral Home: Jenkins-Soffe South Valley 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway South Jordan, Ut 84095