Virginia Maureen Anthony Ahlstrom

Virginia (Ginny) Maureen Anthony Ahlstrom joined her adoring husband, her Bill, on May 30, 2024, at the age of 86. Surrounded by her four loving daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sons-in-law, and many angels. She took her final breath after a beautiful life as devoted wife and beloved mom, grandma, great-grandma, aunt, cousin and friend. Mom battled with memory loss for several years, but she never forgot the important things. Her beautiful heart carried her until it could bear no more. 

Born June 24, 1937, in Centralia, Kansas to Thelma Carson Anthony and Alva Lee Anthony, Ginny and her brothers Bill and Bob (twins) lived in what she knew not was poverty, as the folks of the town richly helped love, raise and support her. She relayed many stories of working at the small movie theatre in her hometown, solidifying her love of music and movies and dance. Ginny moved to the “big city” of Topeka, where, on January 10, 1955, she attended a party at the insistence of her friends, where she met Wilton James Ahlstrom, a dashing young Air Force pilot, a quiet man who talked her ear off through the night. Within two months, on March 10, they were married and became a pair of adventurers with the help of the military. Four daughters came to bless and challenge their lives, and, through several deployments, the gypsy family traveled and explored this great Earth together, along with Ginny’s mom, Thelma. The Little Caravan finally settled in Utah.

After Bill’s retirement, Ginny worked in supportive administrative roles for the American Red Cross, Pioneer Title, Family Support Center, and Weber State University. After her own retirement, she walked to the local elementary school to read to the kindergarteners; all the kids loved Grandma Ginny. She was a wonderful grandma and was always involved in her grandchildren’s lives, spoiling them with love and taking them on various adventures. 

She was a small-town girl with big ideas like owning a horse ranch with her best friends. She loved animals and they loved her; she had a special love for elephants. She was abundantly creative; whether it be making doll clothes, singing in a group on a whim, performing on stage in community theatre, oil painting Renoir pictures, or forming stained glass masterpieces. She tackled, conquered and succeeded. She loved to read; keeping track of all the books as she visited the library weekly. She loved games; especially crossword puzzles, scrabble and Mahjong. She loved shoes; so many shoes. And purses. And the color red, especially on her fingernails. Most of all she loved being with family; playing, laughing, traveling, camping, and singing; always singing.

Ginny was preceded in death by her precious husband, Bill (2/2/35-8/11/22). She is survived by daughters: Tamara Jo, Cynthia Jan, Teresa Joi and Erika Jeanne; eight grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Our family would like to thank all of the caregivers from First Choice and Visiting Angels; we will be forever grateful for the bright light they provided. A memorial open house will be held on August 17 at the family’s home in Clearfield. Please contact the family for more information.