Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Juanita Cecilia Lazore Ashton of Boise, Idaho passed away on October 24, 2017 of natural causes. She was born on October 4, 1928 in Akwesasne. She was the fourth of seven children born to Thomas and Agnes Jock Lazore.

Juanita attended the Mohawk School, Bombay High School, and Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas. She received a B.S. in Education in 1954 from the State University of New York in Plattsburgh. She taught at Parker Elementary School in Clarence, NY for two years before heading west in 1956. In Tucson, AZ, she worked for the Alumni Director at the University of Arizona. While studying for her Arizona Teacher Certification she was employed at the Phoenix Indian School from 1958-1962.

In 1959, Juanita married R. Dean Ashton in Phoenix. In 1962, after the birth of their son Greg, she left teaching to become a full time mother. Their second son, Randy, was born in 1964. That same year the Ashtons moved to Denver, CO. They went on to have two more children, Deana in 1967 and Brian in 1968. The family moved to Boise, ID in 1977.

Juanita and family opened a Chrome Concepts store in the Westgate Shopping Center in 1978, which moved to the 8th Street Marketplace as Ashton's Contempra in 1981. In 1987, the shop closed and the family moved to Portland, OR where they lived for seven years before returning to Boise in 1994. Juanita returned to teaching and taught in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program in the Meridian School District from 1997-2002.

Juanita was an avid gardener, loved to read, and challenge her mind. She was proud to be honored as a Native Elder by Native American Coalition of Boise and enjoyed the monthly celebrations, powwows, and gatherings. Traditional Indian craftwork was a hobby she enjoyed learning and teaching to others. She was an active participant in the Southern Idaho Coin Club and the Idaho Gem Club. Her biggest delight was supporting her children's pastime of hot air ballooning.

Juanita was a memorable and engaging person who was cherished by many friends. She was intelligent, funny and helpful. She retained her sharp wit and shared many stories right up through her last days.

Both of her parents, her husband Dean, and brothers Art, Harold, Ashley and Glenn precede Juanita in death.

Survivors include her sister Beatrice Cole of Hogansburg, NY, Edna Cook of Glendora, CA, children Greg (Angela), Randy (Renee), Deana, and Brian (Cyndi) all of Boise. Also missing her are her grandchildren Allee, Amber, Ashton, Austin, Brandon, Cole, Crystal, Dana, David, Tyler, 12 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews in Akwesasne.

There will be a vigil at Cloverdale Funeral Home Thursday, November 2nd from 5:00 – 7:00pm and a mass at St. Mark's Catholic Church Friday, November 3rd at 10:00am which will be followed by a reception.