Mary Ashcroft

Mary P. Ashcroft PORTSMOUTH - Mary Presson Ashcroft, 83, a lifetime resident of Portsmouth, went to be with her maker and join her husband, John W. Ashcroft Jr.; her sister, Myree Rowe Wannamaker; and her parents, William Raleigh Presson and Nellie Gilkerson Sept. 16, 2008. Mary was employed by C & P Telephone Co. during World War II and was a telephone operator for The Virginian-Pilot & Ledger Star during the 1950s and retired from the Norfolk Naval Supply Center after 15 years of service. Mary is survived by her sister, Jacqueline Skelton of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; her seven children, Theresa Johnson of Wayne, Pa., Cecelia Schroeder and her husband Randy of Clearwater, Fla., William Lillard and his wife Chris of Sylva, N.C., John Lillard and his wife Kathy of Charlotte, N.C., John Ashcroft III and his wife Lisa of Portsmouth, Robert Ashcroft and his wife Kathi of St. Mary's, Ga., and Michael Ashcroft of Portsmouth; also surviving are her 15 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; and 11 nieces and seven nephews. Join with the family for a celebration of her life at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Church of St. Therese in Chesapeake. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mary's name to the Maison Fortune Orphanage c/o Church of St. Therese, 4137 Portsmouth Blvd., Chesapeake, VA 23321. If floral donations are made, please send to the church before 10 a.m. Saturday. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Cremation Society of Hampton Roads.