Harriette Harrold Ashley, 101

To view Harriette’s memorial video, click here.

Harriette Harrold Ashley passed away at age 101 on February 22, 2022 at the Pavillion for Health Care Penney Farms, Florida with her loving family around her. Harriette was born July 4th, 1920, in Jacksonville, Florida one of nine children of Percy and Ella Harrold. She graduated from Andrew Jackson High School and she worked as a clerk in a department store for a while and then met and married the love of her life, Jack Ashley. WWII interrupted their love story, but after Jack’s return they completed building a home on Ash Street in the south side of Jacksonville where they lived and raised four children. Linda, Hal, Michael and Tammy.

Harriette was an exceptional mother. The love she gave to her children, though she always said she had some help from Jack, (smile) and the ethics, honesty and faith she taught will forever be an integral part of her children and their children and right on down. She was continuously involved with the children through scouting and school activities.

Family was most important to her and the whole family often we went back to the farm she grew up on to visit with her parents and the rest of the large and loving family. She was one of the driving forces of the large annual family reunion that continued for 20 years. She was a dedicated daughter and spent many days just driving across town, which in those days was quite a journey, to visit her parents.

She always said she was just a housewife, but the list of accomplishments she had in that role was innumerable. She was a marvelous cook, a seamstress making everything from clothing for the family to recovering the couch, the dining room chairs and she and Jack even recovered the seats on our ski boat in later years! She loved her flowers and immediately nasturtiums and sweet peas come to mind along with a long list of others.

In summer there were vegetables to can and freeze, jelly to make and many other projects to do, too many to name. In later years she learned to weave baskets, paint pictures, play golf and other hobbies.

Camping was always an important part of our family throughout the years but after Jack retired travel became a real focus of life for them. They traveled to every state, including Hawaii and Alaska, mostly with a RV exploring the world. There was some international travel, but mostly they loved their United States journeys.

They made their lake home their full time residence and it was the place of many, many good times with the kids, grandkids, and friends. On her 80th birthday she bought herself a Sea Doo to ride around the lake and visit.

After Jack’s death in 2000, she moved to Penney Farms Retirement Community where she continued to live her life with vigor and enthusiasm. Her sense of humor and positive attitude carried her a long way. She loved her volunteer work at Penney Farms until her eyesight diminished so that she then became one of the ladies wrapping silverware in the dining room….the best part was they managed to have some frozen yogurt at the end of their job.

Harriette moved into Penmor Assisted Living in 2014 and enjoyed the care and love given there by staff and volunteers. She had her room painted lavender and became known as the lavender lady. Harriette celebrated her 100th birthday in 2020 amidst the pandemic and even with those hardships we managed to have a wonderful birthday parade. She loved sitting on the bench in front of Penmor with her tiara on her head waving at all the people, friends and family as they went by in cars, trucks, golf carts and on bikes and even some walking. She was definitely the Queen. We read her 92 birthday cards to her many times and a they brought happy smiles of that memorable day.

In 2021, she fell and broke her ankle and had to be in the nursing care and remained there until her death. She loved the Pavillion staff and joked with them and laughed with them all the time. The care she received there was exemplary to say the least. In the final months she was served by Community Hospice who continued the exceptional care and also came to love her and became a great support to the family. The family would like to express their greatest appreciation to Penney Retirement Community staff and Community Hospice for their dedicated care.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Friday, February 25th at Russell Haven of Rest. Graveside service will be Saturday, February 26th at 11:00 AM at Eubanks Memorial Cemetery on Yellow Bluff Road, Jacksonville, Florida.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations may be made to Community Hospice or Penney Retirement Community Residents Aid Fund. www.communityhospice.com  www.penneyretirementcommunity.org

As one of her many friends said, “the angels were quietly waiting to escort her home and we will all miss her bright and cheery personality.”. We were honored to have her as our matriarch for so many years.

Her loving family:

Linda Ashley and son Joey, deceased

Mickey Taylor

Hal & Kathy Ashley and children, Allen & LaRee, Kelly & Keith and grandchildren Brayden, Alayna & Christian.

Michael Ashley

Tammy & Keith Werninck and children Jamie & Dave, Sara and Brady and grandchildren Katie, Claire, Jackson & Tristan

Arrangements are under the care of Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery, Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2335 Sandridge Road, Green Cove Springs, FL  32043.  Family and friends may share their condolences at: www.RHRFH.com 904-284-7720