Mary Ashley
June 6, 1925 — July 15, 2009
Mary Mosscrop Ashley age 84 of 250 Meadowlark Road, Jackson, WY 83001 passed away on July 15, 2009. Mary was born June 3, 1925 to Roger G. and Frances Mosscrop of Manchester, New Hampshire.
Mary spent her childhood in Manchester, NH. She attended boarding school at St. Mary of the Mountains in Littleton, NH and attended Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY where she studied to become an associate with the State Department for the United States. During these years she was an avid tennis player, skier and outdoorswoman. This love of the outdoors greatly influenced her future life and gave her the courage and vision to leave her New England roots.
In 1949 she completed her education at Vassar College and traveled to Jackson, Wyoming to spend the summer with her aunt and uncle - Vera and Bill Jensen. It was in Jackson, at the top of Snow King Mountain, that she met her future husband and on October 8, 1949 she was married to William H. Ashley at a ceremony in Manchester.
From that point forward Mary was a permanent resident of Teton County. It was here under the shadow of the mountains that Mary's greatest passions were unleashed. Aside from raising her three boys Mary was an avid gardener with a special eye for the flowering plants of summer. Here vegetable and flower gardens were always bright and full and provided color and richness to each of her various homes. In addition to cherishing the flowering beauty of Jackson Hole she was captivated by the animals in her life. Whether it was a moose at her window, a swan in the pond, her horse in the pasture or the beloved cats and dogs at her feet Mary was never without a furry companion.
Mary was known through out the valley for her positive approach to life and her gracious and caring spirit. She was resolute in her convictions and demonstrated for all of us a passion and energy that inspired our family each and every day.
Mary had several areas of volunteer projects including work with The Red Cross and twenty years of service delivering Meals on Wheels. She also served several terms on the library board at the old library building in Jackson.
Survivors of Mary's death are her husband Bill Ashley, three sons - Peter (Rhonda), Stephan (Anne), and Alan (Alicia) and grand children Owen and Madeline, step grand children Ashley and Ben and cousin Judy Eike of Laramie Wyoming.
Mary will be cremated and her ashes buried in the Ashley Family plot at the Aspen Hill Cemetery during a private family ceremony.
Memorial contributions and donations may be made to the charity of your choice in Mary's name. Some of Mary's favorite charities include the Senior Center, St. Johns Medical Center, Jackson Hole Land Trust, the Humane Society and the Cancer Society.
A memorial service for Mary will be held at St. Johns Episcopal Church in Jackson on Friday, July 24th at 2:00 PM. Your attendance to honor Mary is most welcome.
If you have questions regarding the memorial service or messages of condolence please contact us at theashleyfamily1949@gmail.com
The Ashley Family