Jane Bishop Ashton
May 15, 1932 ~ March 3, 2026
Born in:
Lockport, NY
Resided in:
Meriden, CT
Jane Bishop Ashton, 93, passed away peacefully on 3 March 2026. She was a native of Lockport, NY, born to Robert C. and Florence S. Bishop and a graduate of Lockport High. She graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science in nutrition.
Jane began her career as an intern at Kodak in Rochester then as a dietician at Yale University where she met Philip T. Ashton (who preceded her in death in 2017). Phil swept her off her feet and they were married in 1956. Together they raised four children: Debbie (Molloy), Katie (Grice), Bob, and Stuart. She also worked at several area nursing homes as the resident dietician including The Masonic Home, Bradley Home, Curtis Memorial, Elim Park, Coccomo, and Westfield Care.
Central to the way she lived, Jane’s faith in Christ as Savior and her desire to serve others led her to volunteer in myriad ways at the First United Methodist Church along with the greater community through Red Cross, Meriden Soup Kitchen, Meriden Board of Education, Meriden/Wallingford Community Foundation (board member), Connecticut Dietetic Association (president), Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts.
Jane worked hard yet valued her playtime too. She relished a night of bridge with friends or board games with grandchildren. An avid fan of professional tennis, she played the sport as often as time allowed. She was competitive at the local level including Meriden women’s and co-ed tournaments. Ever the cheerleader, encourager and person who saw the “silver lining,” she maintained that positive outlook until the end, claiming she wanted a “new body” as her aging one slowly failed her. This may have been her way of looking forward to restoration to full health and vigor in Heaven!
Jane is survived by her four children and their spouses: Debbie and Tom Molloy of Meriden; Katie and Stephen Grice of Georgia; Bob and Susan Ashton of Virginia; and Stuart and Krissi Ashton of New Jersey. Jane also had 10 cherished grandchildren: Ryan and Daniel Molloy, Taylor and Nathan Grice, Ashton Levin, Philip Ashton, Emily Grzybowski, William Ashton, and Nicholas and Stefan Lazaroae. Jane also had five great-grandchildren: Robbie and Aurelia Jane Ashton (Philip and Nicole Ashton); Charles and Jane Grice (Taylor and Mary Pate Grice); and Madeline Jo Grzybowski (Emily and Johnathan Grzybowski).
A memorial service honoring Jane’s life will be held on Friday, April 24th at 1 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 159 E. Main St., Meriden, CT followed by a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jane’s memory may be made to the First United Methodist Church or the Meriden-Wallingford Community Foundation “Philip and Jane Ashton Fund” (www.mw-cf.org/legacy/funds).
Services
Memorial Service: April 24, 2026 1:00 pm
First United Methodist Church of Meriden
159 East Main Street
Meriden, CT 06450
(203) 235-9620
Debbie, and family, I was sorry to read this obituary sat am. Always remember her at blood drives, Ed Walsh games for Ryan, Dan etc. Very sorry for your loss. Maggie Bender
Brenda and I were so saddened to hear of Mrs. Ashton’s passing. She was a wonderful women and she and Mr. Ashton were such good lifelong friends of my parents. Our condolences to Deb, Katie, Bob, Stuart and their families.
Jay and Brenda Teagle
Debbie,
My sincerest condolences on the passing of your mother. She always had a kind word for people she knew. May she Rest in Peace.
Irene Veillette
I first met Mrs. Ashton as an impressionable and somewhat directionless teenager in 1976/77. I remembered her as a woman of poise and class with a spritz of dry wit. Even though my connection to her was not deep, I had this desire to make something of myself so as to earn her approval.
Fast forward many years and I began to see her when she volunteered at local blood drives and I always enjoyed our conversations. I wasn’t sure she remembered me and I never reminded her of our shared past, but she certainly had not changed. And who could forget the peanut butter bars she would bring!
In accordance with her family’s wishes, and to honor her life of volunteerism and positive influence, I have made a contribution to the Meriden-Wallingford Community Foundation.