Mollie Ashcroft

Mollie Ashcroft, 88, passed away peacefully in her sleep on the evening of September 4, 2023. She was at home where she wanted to be and was surrounded by loved ones.

Mollie was born to Charles and Lucy (nee Norcliffe) Brook on February 24, 1935, in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England. She was born about 10 minutes after her twin sister. After emigrating to Canada in 1956 she joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1958 and met William Hall Ashcroft in 1959. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple in 1961. They are parents to four children: Elizabeth Ashcroft, Lucy (Troy) Holmes, Charlie (Jacqueline), and Joe (Shannon).

She was naturalized as a citizen of the United States in 1968 after her daughter, Elizabeth, came home from school with a reminder from her teacher that everyone should vote. Mollie told Elizabeth that she couldn’t vote because she wasn’t a citizen. Apparently, Elizabeth was very upset by this, claiming that every other mother in the United States would be voting and she would be the only one who wouldn’t be voting. So, unbeknownst to anyone, she studied for and took the test to become a United States citizen. Hall found out when he was invited to the naturalization ceremony just moments before they had to leave to attend. She has always been proud to be an Englishman, but from that moment on she was a very proud and patriotic American.

In addition to a two-year full-time mission that she and Hall served in Sacramento, California, Mollie served several other missions including two years at the Family History Library, and, along with Hall in the Addiction Recovery Program and the church employment program. They also served two proselyting stake missions.

Mollie also served in every ward she attended with tirelessness and faithfulness. Many people claim that Mollie was the first person to welcome them into their ward.

She got her first pair of knitting needles when she was three years old and never stopped knitting. Mollie was also a talented seamstress and could crochet, tat (lace making), embroider and make jewelry. She loved to make jewelry in her later years and give the necklaces, bracelets and earrings to her friends. There are many women who wear her creations proudly.

Mollie loved to sing and had a song for every occasion and would happily break into song at the drop of a hat around her family.

Those who knew her remember her as a talented, loving, service-minded daughter of Heavenly Father who believed that if a job was worth doing it was worth doing right. She will always be remembered as a stalwart and elect lady who, at times could be outspoken, but would always defend those who weren’t there to defend themselves.

Mollie is survived by her loving husband Hall, her four aforementioned children, nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, with another one on the way, and her twin sister Mary and her younger sister Merrill.

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.