Thursday, January 11, 2007 Older Editions

Helen C. Ashton

Helen C. (Horgan) Ashton, 89, died peacefully Thursday morning, Jan. 4, at Caritas Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, surrounded by her immediate family.

She was the last of 10 children born to Bart and Margaret Horgan.

Born and educated in Haverhill, she was a 1934 graduate of St. James High School, where she majored in business, in addition to regular courses.

Mrs. Ashton had worked as a legal secretary in Haverhill and was retired from St. Augustine School cafeteria in Andover, where she had worked for many years after her youngest son was in grammar school.

She had lived in Andover for almost 60 years.

She was a member of St. Augustine's parish in Andover. Mrs. Ashton loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. When her kids were young, she loved to ice skate with them.

Her hobbies included cooking, reading, gardening and traveling. She especially enjoyed her trips to Ireland, and her many days at North Hampton Beach.

She is predeceased by her husband, Richard W. Ashton.

Family members include her daughter, Geraldine A. and her husband David Best of Andover; sons, Richard J. and his wife Cynthia of Andover, David J. and his wife Lorna of Peabody, Brian C. and his wife Cynthia of Washougal, Wash.; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, 147 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116.

Funeral arrangements were by Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home.