“ I am so very happy and grateful for all I have been given, I am Victorious” “.
Lilian Fruzina Ashley, was born September 13th,1935 in Mundare, Alberta, Canada to Mary and Michael Bordian. She was proud of her parents Ukrainian and Romanian heritage. Her siblings Helen, Jeri, Laura, Marge, Kay, Eddie preceded her in death. Her sole surviving brother Larry continues to reside in Canada.
She is survived by husband Clifford of 67 years; Brad Ashley her son and his wife Lisa, granddaughters Aubree and Julee of Sherwood, Oregon; Daughter Chris Ashley-Proctor and her husband Mike Proctor and grand-dogs Delta Dawn and Atlas, of Chandler, Arizona.
In her life Lil is remembered for her baton twirling, playing center in basketball as a child and enjoyed swimming. She met Cliff in high school, who was attracted to her zest for life and ability to speak her mind. They married in 1955.
They moved from Canada to California in the early 60’s and then spent one quick year in New York. Then in 1969 they moved to Tigard Oregon where they raised Brad and Chris and they enjoyed their family, with their dogs & cats. On top of raising her family she was proud to earn her Associates degree from Portland Community College. She was known for her cake decorating, crafting, cooking, hosting parties and bowling where she won many a trophy. She and Cliff enjoyed many years of dressing up for costume parties and social events. Lil loved dogs so dearly, her favorite breed was golden retrievers. Lil never turned away a snack to give to a pup or a hug or kiss.
She and Cliff finally settled in Phoenix in 1986 and then moved to Peoria in 2002. Lil continued her love for swimming and education at the community college in Phoenix. She became an avid Phoenix Suns fan watching on TV roaring and cheering. She was blessed and was able to attend a sun game with her daughter on April 28th in which they won. She enjoyed time with her friends and she was a true lover of fashion and clothing and participated in a senior fashion show. Lil and Cliff moved to Chandler in 2018. Lil continued her crafts and picked up the love for beading and would gift many of her creations to those in her world.
Lil’s strength for life was remarkable. Family and friends stated she had cat lives. She survived many life threatening illness, strokes, heart attacks, breast cancer, head injury, broken hip and lung cancer. Her strengths to continue physically was remarkable. She always impressed everyone how she would recover.
Lil was lucky to have so many years of captured moments with her family and friends. She will be remembered as a generous and kind woman who touched the lives of many with her vibrant personality and loving presence. The family not knowing this would be our last captured day with her, she spent the day with her husband and daughter reminiscing and that evening she told her son and daughter in law on Alexia video “I am so very happy and grateful for all I have been given, I am Victorious”
Lil passed peacefully at home in Chandler, Arizona on June 12th, 2023.
Memorial Mass will be held September 23, 2023 at 11am with reception to follow
Holy Trinity Catholic Church
13715 SW Walker Road
Beaverton, OR 97005-1017