Kathleen Lorraine (Ashcraft) Bushman, 51, affectionately known as Kathy, died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, at her home in Snowflake from natural causes. Funeral services were held Nov. 12 at the Snowflake Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Snowflake. Internment followed at the R.V. “Mike” Ramsay Memorial Cemetery in Snowflake. She was born on a Wednesday, Jan. 13, 1965, in Alameda, Calif., to Keith Dale of Concho and Teresa “Lorraine” (White) Ashcraft. Her siblings are Robert Ashcraft of St. Johns and Teresa Kouf of Arizona City. Kathy graduated from Snowflake High School with the Class of 1983. Mutual friends introduced her to Joseph Cox Bushman of Snowflake in April that year. Joe recalled, “She was the most beautiful girl that I had ever seen. There was something familiar about her even though we had just met. It was love at first sight.” They were married on Christmas Eve that same year in Snowflake by Bishop Nephi Bushman, Joe’s father. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple on Aug. 21, 1993. She was a gifted gymnast, and taught youth and teen tumbling for 13 years in Snowflake. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served diligently wherever called. She loved her husband faithfully for nearly 35 years of marriage. She cherished lifelong friendships and “adopted” many children through the years, giving her unique gift of unconditional love to all within her sphere of influence. However, her crowning achievement was in raising her children, who recall her love, affection, encouragement, humor and comfort. Kathy’s hugs, smile and laugh will be dearly missed. Survivors include her beloved husband, Joseph; their children, Patrick, Nicholas, Amy, Gregg, Christie and Joey, as well as her step-daughter, Jami; their spouses, Carla, Brittany, Erik, Amanda and Adam; their 15 grandchildren; her father, Keith, and her step-mother, Rebecca. She was preceded in death by her mother, Lorraine, in 1993. Owens Livingston Mortuary-Heritage Chapel in Snowflake was in charge of the arrangements.
