Phyllis Margaret Strong Gooch, 97, formerly of Ashton, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, February 28, as a result of health problems related to her advanced age.

She was born April 26, 1918, in Ashton to Herbert and Martha Margaret Loutensock Strong. She was raised in the Ashton area, where she went to high school and met her lifelong sweetheart, Percy Duncan Gooch. Following their marriage in 1936, they moved to Southern California, where they spent most of their married life and raised one daughter, Darla Lou Gooch (Toone).

After Percy retired, they returned to Ashton, their much beloved hometown. Percy passed away in 1989, due to colon cancer.

Phyllis's greatest joy in life was spending time with her family, including her sisters - Eva, Merle and Dorothy - her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren, and her many nieces and nephews. She also loved to play the piano, crochet, and provide compassionate service to others as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In her later years and as her health declined, she moved to Simi Valley, California to live with her daughter. She spent the last six years of her life at a healthcare center in Chatsworth, California.

She is survived by her daughter, Darla Lou Gooch Toone (wife of David Toone), three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Percy Duncan Gooch and a grandson, Randall David Toone.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, at the Ashton LDS Tri-Ward Building, 1313 North 3600 East. The family will receive friends Saturday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will be in the Pineview Cemetery under the direction of Baxter Funeral Home.