Barbara C. Ashe

Born May 28, 1939 to the late Wilton and Estelle Drain in Lancaster, PA, Barbara was raised by her Aunt Emily and Uncle Howard Kent in Springfield, NJ with her sisters Emily (“Sis”) Duca and Lillian (“Lil”) Burton. She attended Springfield schools. Barbara was very close with her sisters, and they often held family gatherings and traveled together while raising their families. Barbara loved warm weather and moved to Florida in the early 90’s. She lived there for many years where she worked as a home health aide for Village on the Green and Florida Hospital. She also performed in-home private duty nursing and was loved by all of her patients. After retiring from Florida Hospital in 2001 she moved to Washington, D.C. to live with her son Thad and his family for a short time before returning to New Jersey that same year.

Lovingly known as “Barb” by many who knew her, she was a devoted mother and grandmother, caring Aunt, and a great friend and neighbor to many. Barbara loved her children and grandchildren with all of her heart and always made sure they knew how proud she was of them. Anyone that knew Barbara also “knew” her children and grandchildren because she often talked about them. In her earlier years she enjoyed cooking for her family and made the best chicken and dumplings, lasagna, yeast rolls, vegetable soup, sweet potato pie, and Christmas cookies, and shared all of these recipes with her children. Affectionately called “Granny Barbara” and “Grandma” by her grandchildren, she loved visiting and taking care of them when they were younger.

Barbara was a people person and loved talking and laughing with her family and friends. She had a beautiful smile and a hearty laugh. She was kind to everyone she met and gave compliments often. Barbara was no push over and was known to speak her mind. She was very protective of her family.

Barbara is survived by her 4 children and their spouses- James Ford (Lorie Ford), Troy Ford (Yvette Holding-Ford), Leah Ashe-Simpkins (Rod Simpkins), and Thad Ashe (Dela Ashe); 11 grandchildren- Dijean O’Reggio, Tyler Ford, Allie Ford, Joel Ashe (Alexandra Ashe), Alyssa Schwegal (Ian Schwegal), Amaya Ashe, Briana Simpkins, Troi Ford, Kaiya Simpkins, Amanda Ashe, and Thad Ashe, Jr.; 2 sisters- Emily Duca and Lillian Burton, and special sister- Betty Anderson; nephews Brett Duca and Luke Lyons; nieces Beth Redding, Lita Luciano, and special niece- Michelle Russell; goddaughter Juanita Berkins, and a host of family and friends. She will be missed immensely by all.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit the McCracken Funeral Home on Saturday August 14, 2021 from 2-4pm for a memorial visitation.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McCrackenFuneralHome.com for the Ashe family.