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Joyce ASHBURN Obituary
ASHBURN, Joyce E.
Joyce E. Ashburn, 75, of New Harwinton Road, Torrington, was embraced by the arms of her Heavenly Father on Friday, (December 9, 2011), at her residence, surrounded by her loving family. She was the devoted wife of the Rev. William G. Ashburn. Mrs. Ashburn was born on September 18, 1936, in Bowdle, South Dakota, the daughter of the late Arnold and Vina Rachel (Smith) Manke. Together with her husband, she was the founder and administrator of the Torrington Christian Academy and of the Kiddie Kollege Nursery School, and was the administrator for the church of the First Assembly of God. She had an incredible love of music which led her to direct many programs for her Church and students. In addition to her beloved husband of 54 years, Mrs. Ashburn is survived by three children, Kristen Ashburn Cantadore and her husband Frank of Concord, NC; Karisa L. Ashburn of Winchester, CT and her fiance William D. Cateno; William G. Ashburn, II and his wife Carol of Harwinton, CT; one brother, John Manke of Lancaster, CA; nine grandchildren, five great grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one granddaughter.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, (December 15, 2011), at 10:30 a.m. at the First Assembly of God Church, 387 New Harwinton Road, Torrington. Relatives and friends are asked to meet directly at the Church. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, December 14, 2011, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Joyce Manke Ashburn Memorial Foundation to benefit the Torrington Christian Academy, 387 New Harwinton Road, Torrington, CT 06790. Condolences may be sent to the Ashburn family by visiting www.cookfuneralhomect.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for Joyce ASHBURN
Kim McNelis
October 20, 2018
I went to Kiddie Kollege when I was 4 years old, back in 1970. I remember Mrs Ashburn, always a beautiful woman, with a kind & gentle spirit. I now live in TX, but back in the late 1990's on one of my trips to CT, I visited the school & Mrs Ashburn. She was as sweet & lovely as I remembered. I'm so sorry to hear of her passing. My condolences to her family. I look forward to seeing her again one day.
~choey renzullo
March 17, 2012
Dearest Ashburn family, we love you all very much and have wonderful memories of all of you. I was heartbroken to learn today of Joyces passing. She was a beautiful person. I will always remember her sweet smile and the way she would say, "oh, we love you so much." She took care of everyone and will be deeply missed. My children were baptised by Pastor and I was baptised by him, as a teen, I love him dearly as a "dad" in the Lord, and have fond memories of your whole family, Pastor and Joyce, and Billy, Kristen, and Karisa. We are so so sorry for your loss and share in this loss with you. We will miss Joyce so very much. As a matter of fact I found out about her passing because I had just searched for her on facebook to say hello and catch up on your family. I was shocked and saddened so very much. our love and condolences to all of you, Sue Martin Renzullo (~choey) and my children, Anson, Erik, Cailyn, Calia, (all baptised there)
Michael vichiola
January 14, 2012
she really loved kids so much. Every time i saw her, i felt blessed by just seeing her.
January 7, 2012
I remember as a young teenager wanting to be "just like her" when I grew up...so devoted, so faithful. She was a woman to be emulated, that's for sure (Christine Lassy Mason, Cheshire, CT)
December 15, 2011
Joyce was the kindest person in the world. Many, many, people have been blessed by her loving spirit. She was a great inspiration to our entire family. Thanks, to God's gift of eternal life we shall she her again. Our prayers are with her family.
Mark & Lisa Harol
Holly Springs, NC
Michael Gnitzcavich
December 14, 2011
She was a angel in our sons life from god,and very loving to my wife, we will never forget her god bless her and the family.
Rev. Bobbie Chapman
December 13, 2011
My prayers and thoughts are with you. Mrs. Asburn was a quiet, gentle, loving, generous, Godly woman. Her faith spoke volumes to everyone especially the children in the way she lived her life and in how she treated others. I will always fondly remember her for her Christ like spirit.
Founders Congregational Church likewise holds you in prayer.
Theresa Foley
December 13, 2011
Our family will always remember how kind the Ashburns were to us when our three boys each attended Kiddie Kollege. May God comfort the Ashburn family as they mourn the loss of Joyce; may He also remind all of us of His everlasting love and offer of eternal life to those who believe.
With fondness,
Glenn, Theresa, Brad, Ross and Pierce Foley
Charles and Barbara Semple
December 13, 2011
We are glad to know Joyce and her whole family. Your lives are a blessing.
Laurie/Hank Woolford
December 12, 2011
While we have only known Joyce for a short time, she was one of the sweetest women I have known. Stopping to shop at our store, she always made us smile. Our sincere sympathy for your entire family. I am sure she will be missed greatly. She will be missed at The Good Life. We will keep her in our thoughts and hearts always
Laurie and Hank Woolford (The Good Life Natural Food & Wellness Center)
Cathi Potts
December 12, 2011
Aunt Joyce, You will be missed. Uncle Billy, do not weep for we will all meet again one day in Heaven.
Love,
Cathi, Chris, Jessica and Justin (Syble's granddaughter and family)
Rev. Allen Latimore
December 12, 2011
Just wanted you to know that your brothers and sisters in Christ from the Advent Christian Church are praying that God's comfort during this time would be showered down upon you. Praise God for the future hope He gives us through His Son!
Michael Vichiola
December 12, 2011
Hi my name is Michael i love mrs ashburn alot. she helped my brother anthony get saved.she used to come to prayer meeting every saturday. she loves kids i think.she always talked really nice to my brothers anthony chris and i. my mom says she dresses like a queen. i love pastor ashburn and mrs, ashburn. i wonder if she can see us from heaven
Francesca Melio
December 12, 2011
I am so sorry for your loss .Mrs. Ashburn was always very friendly to me .Just a few Months ago,I saw Pastor and Mrs. Ashburn.We spoke briefly exchanging pleasentries .I remember her fron Bible Study which I attended with Doris Hazzard ,in 2004 -2005 .Always smiling ,she was a kind person . God Bless her now and forever more... Francesca Melio (Torington,CT)
Tracey Vichiola
December 12, 2011
i will always love mrs. ashburn. im friends with that wonderful church and am truly blessed to have known mrs ashburn my heart aches for the church and her family we all will miss her greatly. her favorite color is red and one of her favorite psalms is 103. she is a dear sweet lady so is pastor he is very dear... i think im gonna cry...
Debbie PattersonGrover
December 12, 2011
Many thanks to the Ashburn family for sharing Joyce with us. She has touched countless lives with her grace and we are better off for it. I praise God for her and will dance in heaven with her someday.
Rebecca Kirk (Leslie)
December 11, 2011
Prayers for the Ashburn family and praise to the Lord for the influence Mrs. Ashburn had on many more lives than just mine. Peace and comfort
kathy Lamere
December 11, 2011
Let God's light shine upon the Ashburn Family
kathy Lamere
December 11, 2011
Im Feel so bad for the Family she was a great woman and very kind,sweet.We will miss her but shes up with my nom and brother and we shall see them all soon
Lord bless pastor ashburn and his Family
Kathy Lamere and Family
Beth (Martin) Ozkan
December 11, 2011
Dear Pastor Ashburn, Kristen, Karissa, and Billy - I cannot tell you how sorry I am to her of your loss. You were so blessed to have such a loving wife and mother - she was truly an amazing, beautiful, and spiritual woman.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and I regret that I will not be able to make it to the wake or funeral but please know that I will be thinking of you. My prayers are with you all.
Michael Ambrose
December 11, 2011
Our hearts and prayers go out to Pastor Ashburn, the Ashburn family and the members of the Torrington Assembly of God church. Mrs. Ashburn was the model of a gracious Christian woman and a credit to her Lord Jesus Christ. Though now she is at home with her Savior, the fruit of her faith and life will continue to grow in the lives all that she touched.
The Dilawar Family
December 11, 2011
Mrs. Ashburn was the most loving and kindest woman we knew. She was blessed with a heart that was given from the Father above. She will always be greatly missed. Our prayers go out to her family and loved ones.
Julie Vitalo-Day
December 11, 2011
I also had the privledge of attending TCA for high school. Mrs. Ashburn was one of the kindest, most accepting people I have ever known. Through her good example, I was motivated to become the best mother and teacher. I will never forget her. My prayers and sympathies are with your family at this time.
Tom Soudier
December 11, 2011
Our prayers are with the family in this difficult time.
nicole milo
December 10, 2011
I had the privelage of attending TCA from second grade all the way until my graduation in 2000. Words cannot describe the dedication and heart of a warrior for Christ Mrs. Ashburn had. Sweet does not even begin to describe her nature. I grew up watching her look at her husband pastor Ashburn with the most adoring and loving eyes. They would hold hands in the pew and i would pray someday I would be blessed to have that kind of love. Mrs Ashburns dedication to scriptire memorization carried me through some of the toughest storms throughout my life. I thank God she pushed so hard for us kids to hide God's word in our hearts! But it was not until I became an adult and watched Mrs. Ashburn fight through pain and suffering that I saw such a faithful servant. She rejoiced and thanked the Lord even amidst her great pain, her true beauty and love for Jesus shone through. She blessed me my whole life. No words can describe her impact!!
Lori Gulyas Levesque
December 10, 2011
I have known Mrs. Ashburn all my life. She was such a beautiful woman of God. My heartfelt sympathies to all her family for your loss. I love to think of of her and my Mom together in Heaven catching up. Our loss, but Heaven's gain.
James Davis
December 10, 2011
Dear Ashburn Family,
Joyce was truly the kindest person I ever knew. She will be missed greatly. We hold your family in our hearts at this time of mourning. We pray that you will be strenghtened and encouraged by our heavenly Father, with the expectation of the resurrection of us All.
When we will all be together again, and every eye will cry no more.
Jim and Lynne Davis
greg mantz
December 10, 2011
Mrs.Asburn was and always will be an inpiration to my children whom she treated with love and guidence throught their years in school. she was a true joy to be around bringing smiles to everyone she meets.we will all miss her and pray for her and all of her beloved family
Amy Grueser
December 10, 2011
There are a million thoughts that come to mind at the mention of this beautiful woman of God. Her legacy continues as we who were so touched by her life train generations to follow in the character of Christ she so graciously embodied. My prayers are with her family as they commemorate her life and her graduation. How great to know without doubt that she is singing in His presence as jewels continue to be added to her crown.
Bruce Hillman
December 10, 2011
"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News"(Romans 10:15). Because of Joyce Ashburn countless numbers of people experienced the love of Jesus Christ, and include Joyce in their testimonials of faith. Joyce Ashburn took seriously Jesus' call to make disciples. It is my prayer that we might strive to achieve so great a witness, and that we, like Joyce, may be carriers of such very Good News. We'll miss those beautiful feet...
December 10, 2011
Our prayers are with you and your family. MAY GOD HELP YOU THREW THE HOLIDAYS. pauline Coolbeth CLAUDE pINETTE&WIFE pEGGY
Alberta Brown
December 10, 2011
Joyce was truly a servant of God and lived up to her name…JOYce…she always reflected the joy of the Lord. She also had great faith. Someone once said, “Little faith will bring a soul to heaven but great faith will bring heaven to the soul”…JOYce had great faith.
I will always be grateful to her for founding Torrington Christian Academy where we entrusted our eight children for 30 years. She had a love for children and was concerned about their whole being which included their spiritual welfare. She certainly took to heart Deuteronomy 6:5-9 …God's Commandments are to be impressed upon our children, to permeate our daily conversation at home so his will would be evident in every sphere of life. Also Romans 16:19 (be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.) and so, obviously, the reason for TCA which strives to instill a godly foundation with the core of the curriculum being the Word of God. Some Christian children may stray from God's teaching, and some do, but God says in Isaiah 55:11 that His word will not return void, it will accomplish His plan.
So with all the ungodly changes in our culture, JOYce saw the wisdom and need to establish a school such as TCA…to be an extension of the home. I will be forever grateful.
To the Ashburn family, our family is so sorry for your great loss…you were so blessed to have her in your life. As others have also expressed, she was an amazing woman and God used her in a great way. May God grant you comfort and a peace that passes all understanding. She will be missed.
Andrew Patton
December 10, 2011
The dedication and service she provided to her family
Joyce Rice
December 10, 2011
I Am So Sorry for your loss..Your family is in my thoughts and prayers..
Diana Gulyas
December 10, 2011
There is not space large enough to say what an incredible woman Mrs. Ashburn was. She has been such an inspiration to both myself and my daughter. She always showed pride in me, as a mother would, when in reality I was so proud of her, and I can only strive now to be a fragment of the loving, kind, beautiful woman that she was. She will be forever missed.
December 10, 2011
So sorry for your loss. She was a very special woman. May God surround you and hold you.
December 10, 2011
Mrs. Ashburn was a wonderful woman, who touched many lives over the years. She will be greatly missed. Our prayers go out to the her family and friends. The Zucca's Torrington CT
Kevin Skaret
December 10, 2011
Mrs. Ashburn was a sweet servant of Christ who touched my life well beyond my brief years as a student at TCA. She will be missed, but she is with our precious Savior - rejoicing.
1 Corinthians 15:54-57
Sam Smith
December 10, 2011
My heartfelt condolences to the Ashburn family especially her husband and children. Joyce's (I still want to call her Mrs. Ashburn) loving and caring attitude made TCA a wonderful place to grow and learn. There are numerous former students who are good and successful people because of her. Welcome home Joyce. Well done thou good and faithful servant.
Jim Cateno
December 10, 2011
To the Ashburn family - so sorry to hear of your loss. But we are not men that live without hope, our joy is knowing that one day we will be reunited in the the light of Christ. Where there is neither pain or sorrow and every tear will be wiped away.
God bless
Kim Cser
December 10, 2011
To the Ashburn family, My sincere, condolences in this time of your loss. I pray that God will give all of you comfort during this difficult time. Joyce was an amazing woman and an insperation to us all. She will be sorely missed.
James McCarthy
December 10, 2011
She was like a mother too me. Always gentle and kind. Always talking about Jesus. I spent many years in the choir that sister Ashburn directed. She will be missed for her loving smile that would melt an iceberg and her Christlike love. She will be greatly missed by many, but as her son had mentioned in a letter she will be praying for us even more now being in heaven with Jesus. Shes home in Jesus arms, and I know if she could speak too us she would be telling us with her smile and gentle voice, don't worry about me I am fine, fight the good fight and don't quit, because Jesus is praying for you and so am I. We will meet again mom one day, and what a joy to look forward too. She has strengthen me alongside and with her husband in more times then I can ever mention. Pastor you are greatly loved and I am here for you, and believe the same from everyone of us as well. I am praying for you, as you had taught me to do so, like you said the greatest blessing you can receive is someone praying for you and if their is anything you need please don't hesitate to ask, your spiritual son, James.
Gary kitchin
December 10, 2011
We feel blessed to have had Mrs. Ashburn be an example in the lives of our children and grandchildren. We pray for the hearts of her family. Proverbs 31 comes to mind thinking of Joyce Ashburn.
Gary and Anne-Elizabeth kitchin
Bernadette Gresczyk
December 9, 2011
Mrs. Ashburn will surely be missed! May she rest in peace!
Domenic Barba
December 9, 2011
Our condolences to Pastor Ashburn and his family. Our son Domenic was very fond of her and said he will miss her. With love, God Bless You All, Joe, Petra and Domenic Barba
December 9, 2011
Our prayers are with your family. She will always be remembered as a kind and wonderful wife, mother and person.
Richard and Julie Bray
tina lovato sarasin
December 9, 2011
so sorry for ur loss i remember all of ur lovin family when i was growin up on lincoln avenue she was a wonderful woman n she is goin to be sadly missed my sincere prayers r with all of u especially with holidays approachin i say this with much love n admirations. sincerely tina lovato sarasin
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Cook Funeral Home - Torrington82 Litchfield Street, Torrington, CT 06790
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