Mary A. Ashley

Mary A. Ashley 1924 - 2008 ZEPHYRHILLS, FLA. Mary Ann Wilusz Stawarz Ashley, 83, a native of Adams and longtime resident of Pittsfield, died Monday morning, Aug. 25, at Florida Hospital in Zephyrhills. She was born in Adams on Nov. 27, 1924, daughter of Frank and Honorata Frodyma Wilusz, and she attended Adams schools. Mrs. Ashley last worked in the housekeeping department at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield for 13 years, until retiring in 1989. Earlier, she worked at the Miss Adams Diner in Adams, which her family founded and operated from 1937 until 1968. She had also worked as a waitress at the former Coach Light Restaurant in Pittsfield and the West Shore Restaurant in Lanesboro. She enjoyed spending time with her family. Her first husband, Stanley Stawarz, whom she married on Aug. 8, 1953, died on June 27, 1957. Her second husband, Charles Ashley, whom she married on Nov. 2, 1968, died on March 29, 2003. She leaves two sons, Ted Stawarz of Franklin, and Stan Stawarz of Clifton Park, N.Y.; two daughters, Cheryll Larkin of Cheshire and Cindy Luciani of Bellingham; one brother, Edward Wilusz of West Chester, Ohio; nine grandchildren, Brady and Michaela Larkin, BJ Luciani, Eric and Brad Luciani, Evan and Christopher Stawarz, Jennifer Robertson and Shane Rogers; several great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces & grand-nephews. She was the beloved mother-in-law of Michael Larkin, Sandy Stawarz, Bernie Luciani, Sr., William Rogers and Chris Stawarz. She also leaves many devoted friends in Zephyrhills, including Bob and Helen Squires, Lorrain Prato, Shirley Williams, and all of her friends at the McDonald's in Zephyrhills. She was predeceased by a daughter, Donna Rogers. She was also predeceased by four brothers, Stanley, Joseph, Theodore and John Wilusz; and by four sisters, Laura Banas, Helen Levesque, Gladys Petronick and Anna Zgrzebniak. FUNERAL NOTICE: The funeral will be held on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 8:45 a.m. from DWYER FUNERAL HOME, 776 North St. Pittsfield, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Cheshire. Burial will follow in Pittsfield Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Dwyer Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association or to the American Heart Association, through the funeral home.