Wilma Delost Ashby (Gold Star Widow) – San Diego Union-Tribune

Wilma Delost Ashby (Gold Star Widow)

OBITUARY

Wilma was born to Francesca and Rudolph DeLost on January 13th, 1933, in Raton, New Mexico and was the youngest of three daughters including Ann and Frances. Following the premature death of her mother, the three girls moved to Denver, Colorado in 1939 and were essentially raised by her eldest sister, Ann. Following her public primary and secondary education, Wilma attended Denver University and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. Living in Colorado, Wilma became an avid downhill skier.

Following college, Wilma moved to Coronado, California and began her grade school teaching career. There she met the love of her life in a young naval aviator, Lt. Donald Ashby. The two married and had three children, Donald, Molly and Matthew. In 1967 while flying a mission in Vietnam, Lt.Cmdr. Donald Ashby was killed in a tragic incident after his fighter jet launched from the U.S.S. Kittyhawk. While grieving the loss of her husband, Wilma, being independent and full of grit, moved with her three children (ages 5, 7, and 9) to Montreux, Switzerland. She had first visited Montreux on a trip during college and had always hoped to return. Wilma never remarried.

Upon returning to San Diego after one year in Europe, Wilma focused on raising her children and resumed her teaching career. She received her Master’s degree in Education at San Diego State University and taught at Adams Elementary School in Normal Heights until her retirement in 1998. Wilma was active in retirement and volunteered at the annual Fourth of July neighborhood picnic near her home in University City. She also volunteered at Our Mother of Confidence Catholic Church and served as a Eucharistic Minister for several years delivering communion to patients at local hospitals.

Wilma’s health began faltering in 2022 and she passed peacefully on February 12th surrounded by family members at her home. Wilma is survived by her three children and five grandchildren: Domino, Frances, Kate, Walker, and Julianne. A memorial service will be held on April 15th at Our Mother of Confidence in University City at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the following charities in remembrance of Wilma.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund

www.vvmf.org/giving-to-vvmf/

American Cancer Society

donate.cancer.org