Alice Ashton

Alice Ashton, 91, passed away peacefully on February 28th, 2014 at home in Colchester, Ct. She is predeceased by her husband of 65 years, James Frederick Ashton. Alice was born in Morecambe, England on April 22, 1922.

Alice and Fred were married on February 8, 1946 in England and came to America shortly there-after. Initially living in New Jersey for a few years, they settled into their long time residence of Giants Neck Heights in Niantic, Connecticut in 1956.

Over the years, Alice had worked at Electric Boat in Groton, Ct., John Meyers in Norwich, Ct., and Scott’s Garden Center in East Lyme .

Alice and her husband were ardent gardeners. Their home and yard were admired by family, friends, visitors, neighbors and passers-by alike. Alice was a talented seamstress, making anything from her daughter’s clothes, Halloween costumes, curtains and furniture covers. The list was endless. She also crocheted, knitted, did needlepoint and spent many hours doing crafts, a passion she passed along to her daughter.

Alice’s greatest accomplishment was being a loving mother to her children, Pamela and Clifford, and a dedicated and loving wife to her husband Fred. Alice’s love for her family was boundless. She was warm-hearted and befriended by all who met her.

In her last year of life, she ventured out to join the Red Hat Society with her close friends and caretakers, Roxanne Daimler and Judy Scalora. We shall ever be indebted to them, as well as Linda Larson and Daryl Dinger (who fondly called her “Mom”) for spending many hours taking our mother on short expeditions, playing Scrabble, cards, and other activities.

Alice is survived by her sister Vera Hamilton of Niantic (formerly of Queens, NY), son Clifford James Ashton, his wife Teri; their children Jeffrey and Haley Ashton of East Lyme; daughter Pamela Ashton and her partner Michael Plecan of Colchester, Ct.; and niece Jeannette Brodeur and her family of Terryville, Ct.

Our heartfelt thanks go to both Dr. Setu Vora and Dr. Catherine E. Hylwa for their support and compassion in their care of our mother over the last few years.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 7 at 6:15 p.m. at the Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Lake Avenue, Niantic, Connecticut. Family visitation will take place there prior to the service between 5pm and 6:15 pm. Please visit www.fultontherouxniantic.com for photos, tributes, directions and more service information.

Alice’s burial will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Center for Hospice Care, 227 Dunham St., Norwich, CT 06360