Evelyn Ashbrook

alignjustifyEvelyn Marian Irwin Ashbrook, 95, passed peacefully into eternal life on Monday, June 1, 2009, surrounded by loving family members gathered at the Meridian Health Center in Temple, Texas. Born on a fruit and dairy farm April 3, 1914, In Green Bluff, Washington, she was the first of three children born to Joseph Ewing Irwin and Lila Emmeline White Irwin. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Robert L. Ashbrook, by a brother, Joseph Ewing Irwin, Jr., and by her parents. She is survived by a brother, Virgil Marvin Irwin of Laguna Beach, California, three daughters, 9 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren.

alignjustifyNamed Salutatorian of the graduating class of 31 at Hillyard High School, she excelled in drama and music, a love instilled by her mother. She nurtured her love of live theater and music to the end of life, enjoying every performance she attended at the Temple Civic Theater and the Temple Symphony in recent years. Each child she taught enjoyed singing with her as she played the autoharp.

alignjustifyWhile working her way through two years at Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington, she fell in love with Robert L. Ashbrook, and they married in 1936. She cut short her own college career in order to help him work his way through Harvard School of Business.

alignjustifyShe was an active participant in the lives of her three daughters, Judy Simpson of Saratoga, California, Janet Lundbeck of Temple, Texas, and Nancy Hoxworth of Killeen, Texas. She held firmly to the value of community service, believing that concern for others makes our own troubles seem petty. Her greatest pride was in seeing that value applied and passed down in her childrens families.

alignjustifyFrom the age of thirteen until her late eighties, Evelyn lovingly taught pre-school children in Sunday School and private preschool, a pursuit for which she hoped to be remembered. Throughout her life, she enjoyed the academic study of early childhood education, and she was an often-requested workshop leader at conferences sponsored by the Association for the Education of Young Children. At 60, she earned her bachelors degree, which led to teaching positions at several California community colleges.

alignjustifyAfter Bob and Evelyns move to Temple, Texas in 1988, she found great satisfaction in volunteering her time and talents with First United Methodist Church, Meals on Wheels, Temple Literacy Council, Saulsbury Day Care Center, and other various childrens programs, often in partnership with her husband. In 2005 Evelyn was honored as a Woman of Distinction by the Bluebonnet Council of Girl Scouts in recognition for tireless community service, particularly with the Temple Literacy Council.

alignjustifyEvelyns family and friends will fondly remember her as a faithful wife and mother, a lifelong learnerteacher, and an example of optimism, faith, and service to others. Her daughters wish to thank her family of caregivers at the Temple Meridian and Heritage Care hospice for providing the comfort she enjoyed as she lived each day Happy on the Way.

alignjustifyA donation to the Temple Literacy Council or the building fund of First United Methodist Church of Temple would honor Evelyns memory in lieu of flowers.

Service

Church Service

First United Methodist Church of Temple
102 N. 2nd St.
Temple, TX  76501
Friday, June 5, 2009
4:00pm

Memorial Contributions

First United Methodist Church of Temple
102 N. 2nd Street
Temple, TX  76501

Temple Literacy Council
100 W Adams Avenue
Temple, TX  76501