Mary Ashworth

Mary Donnelly Ashworth joined her beloved husband George in heaven on April 9, 2015.

She was born on June 14, 1921 in Springfield MA the only child of Henry A and Rose (Casey) Donnelly.

As a veteran, Mary was always proud to tell every one that her birthday was on Flag Day. Her early years were spent in Glen Elm PQ at her grandmother’s farm. The family moved to Saranac Lake and lived at 40 Ampersand Avenue. She attended St. Bernard’s School, Saranac Lake High School and graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in Malone. She enlisted in the US Navy and served both in World War II and in the Korean Conflict, .and had attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Following active military service, she was a member of the Naval Reserve and was honorable discharged in 1962. After active military service, she attended Columbia University. She accepted a position with the US Postal Service in Washington DC. She met the love of her live, George C. Ashworth and the couple continued to reside in Washington. After she retired, she accompanied her husband on his foreign travels setting up trade shows in foreign countries around the globe. The couple traveled extensively upon George’s retirement and eventually settled in Ocean Springs MS. During her retirement she wrote a weekly column for the Ocean Springs Sun Herald and was an active volunteer and member of St Alphonsus Roman Catholic Church. Mary stayed in her home during Hurricane Katrina. After surviving a week in her home which was still intact without power, phone or gas, she decided to returned to Saranac Lake to be closer to her family. She lived at DeChantelle Apartments and at Will Rogers before moving to Meadowbrook in Plattsburgh.

Mary was predeceased by her parents and husband George. She is survived nephews: H. Peter (Martha) Donnelly, and Martin F. (Nenita) Donnelly, Saranac Lake, Patrick J. (Darleen) Donnelly, Tupper Lake, NY, John J. Donnelly, Rochester, and Eugene H. (Nancy) Cassidy, Framingham, MA and nieces, Mary E. (Clyde) Black, Tupper Lake, NY and Margaret A. Deforest, Brockport. She is also survived by several cousins.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 5 at St. Bernard’s Church by Msgr. C.J McAvoy with burial immediately following at St. Bernard’s Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember Mary may make contributions to St. Bernard’s School in her memory.