Nancy Jacoby Ash

Herbert was from Newburyport, MA and had 3 brothers, a point that would play a part in my life, as some of my favorite memorable vacations with my mom and dad were spent at Uncle Parker’s and Aunt Ardis cabin on Half Moon Pond in Maine.

In her early years, she lived in Willow Grove, and then moved to Crescentville (Phila) and Hasbrook Ave., where she established lifelong friendships from age 4. Nancy, Charlotte and still living Jean Boyle Herbert and Carolyn.

Her mother was a teacher, and mom always wanted to follow. These facts collided when she was in 3rd grade, she had her mother for a teacher. At time she had 4 cats in her early years Cokewheat (mother) Cokewheat II, Blacky, Piggy, and Squeaky.

Attended Ben Franklin Elm., Girls High School, West Chester St. Teachers College

Taught in Upper Gwynned, then Abington 1st, 6th, then 3rd grade, which she like the best. Spent most yrs. At this level.

Was also an Education Consultant for John C. Winston Co. – she traveled a lot, set up teaching programs for 1 room school buildings.

Her home church was Holy Trinity Presby. In 1955, she met my dad when church merged with Bethlehem Pres. The group was called pairs and squares.

They were engaged May 14, 1960. In recent years, I would take my mom to Valley Green on the Wissahickon, where they were engaged. Married July 15 moved into our house the following month, in August mom stopped teaching full time then, but while I was going thought elementary and junior high, she substituted. Once when I was in 6th grade mom got a call one morning to substitute in Mr. Stoloskis class at Poquessing, my class. Later as the school day began my teacher mentioned that there would be a substitute that afternoon. I didn’t say anything, but I knew who the substitute would be. That afternoon arrived, and no mom. A different sub had been called because the principle had canceled the plan.

In recent years, we had many memorable day trips. We would always celebrate her birthday by going to Ocean City NJ. Mom loved the ocean. She also had an affinity for lighthouses, and on different trips we would visit the lighthouses at Sandy Hook, Navesink, Barnegat, Sea Girt, Absecon, and Cape May Point. We once saw the lighthouses of Delaware Bay (Finns Point).

She was also a horse lover. As one hobby, she and friends regular went horseback riding. In 2000, she and her friend Jean traveled to Arizona to visit one of those lifelong friends, Charlotte. Mom was quite an admire of the way of the American of the Southwest. (The Navajo) Several of our day trips have been with our friend Jean, Gettysburg, Washington D.C., Asbury Pk., Fall Foliage at Delaware Water Gaps. We always have celebrated my birthday in Cape May, concluding with a visit to Sunset Beach. On our visit to Washington D.C., mom was able to see the WWII memorial on the mall – she was part of that “Greatest Generation.”

She loved to “just take a ride “either one of those day trips or just to the lakeside at Core Creek Park, or Creek side at Tyler State Park, or along the river on rt. 611. Even with several of her Dr. Visits in recent months, we tried to make an occasion of it, stopping for a late lunch on the way home.

Some words that I feel best describe my mom are, strong-willed, caring, compassionate and encouraging.