Mary Ann Ashcroft, 85, of Derry, New Hampshire, died Friday October 17, 2025, in her home after a brief illness. Mary was born on October 28, 1939 in Somerville, Massachusetts, the daughter of John and Mary (Morley) Lennon. She was a first generation American born to her Irish immigrant parents. Mary had a great childhood growing up with her loving and attentive parents and her brother John, whom she cherished. After graduating from high school, Mary began working for the Travelers Insurance Company in downtown Boston as a secretary. It turned out that Mary had not just started a job; she had begun a career resulting in working for the Company as a claims representative for more than 50 years. In 1998 Mary was appointed by the governor at the time to serve on the New Hampshire Compensation Appeals Board on which she honorably served for 27 years. During her tenure on the Board, Mary served as the continuing education coordinator arranging for talented professionals to provide educational presentations on topics ranging from complicated medical issues, ethics questions and relevant statutory and case law developments.
Mary was married to Charles “Charlie” Ashcroft, the love of her life in July of 1962. Everyone who knew Mary and Charlie could easily see that they were meant to be together. Being with the two of them was always a memorable and fun time. Mary, the “vacation planner”, always kept the sometimes-reluctant Charlie on the move with cruises, Vegas trips and other travel. Mary loved her home in Derry, which she decorated with numerous items including an army of leprechauns and gnomes. She was a legendary clothes and Christmas Tree Stores shopper. Charlie was often the chauffeur. In their Derry neighborhood, Mary and Charlie were socially active and they particularly loved the young children living there to stop and visit. One of them remained in her life and her heart like a son until the day she passed.
Mary always remained upbeat even when she went through difficult times in her life. Her conversations always started by asking how you were doing, or how a birthday or other event went, or if you or your spouse or friend was doing well or feeling better. Mary knew the meaningful dates of your life better than you knew them yourself. She sent cards for every occasion, always with a special note. She made quality friends wherever she went, whether that was on a vacation, at a restaurant with the staff or even while delivering trash at the town transfer station. Mary was always authentically Mary. She would stand up for what she believed. She was not pretentious.
Even during her last moments of fading health and cognition she remained Mary concerned not with herself, but about you, asking you how you were and saying you should go home to be with your family. Mary left this earth secure in her faith and unafraid. She humbled us, will be greatly missed and cannot be replaced.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2025 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 15 Birch Street, Derry. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 27, 2025 at 10:30am in St. Matthew's Catholic Church, 2 Searles Rd., Windham, NH. The burial will follow in the NH State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Hwy., Boscawen, NH at 2:00pm.