Edith Ashworth

EDITH E. ASHWORTH Edith E. Ashworth, at age 94, passed away at the Hospice House of Fort Pierce, Florida on July 29, 2014. She had been enjoying good health until mid- June of this year when she contracted a serious disease that became fraught with complications. Born in Danville, Virginia, in 1920, she and a close cousin, Thelma Grogan, graduated from Averett University and Madison University before receiving their Masters in Education from the University of Virginia. They both had long and successful careers in the field of Education. After teaching for 11 years at the Brosville High School in Pittsylvania County Virginia, they moved to Northern Virginia where they both taught in the Fairfax County School System. Edith eventually became a library specialist and Thelma specialized in the elementary school system. Both were highly successful in their careers, with Edith serving for years as the distinguished head of the Fairfax County School Library System and Thelma serving for 21 years as an elementary school principal for three different schools. Edith was noted and praised for her unique ability to excite children to read. She served as the president of the Virginia Library Association and was listed in Who's Who of American Libraries. They both retired in 1983, having each served for more than 40 years toward improving the education and learning opportunities for children in Northern Virginia. Ms. Ashworth attended the United Methodist Church in Oakton, Virginia for more than 30 years. Many thought of her as a pillar of that church. During the summer months, she and Thelma became avid world travelers, visiting all seven continents, with Antarctica being the last and one of her favorites. She had particularly fond memories of the penguins. An avid reader with an inquisitive mind well into her 90's, she also loved people watching and especially loved her family. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Blair and Bill McSpadden of Port St Lucie, Florida. She will be missed by the many friends, both young and old, that she cultivated over the years. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Edith E. Ashworth to the Oakton United Methodist Church, 2951 Chain Bridge Rd., P.O. Box 205, Oakton, Virginia 22124. Services will be held at Townes Funeral Home, 215 West Main Street, Danville, Virginia at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 2, 2014. Interment will immediately follow at Highland Burial Park.