Mary Lou Ashton, age 85, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 27, 2021 at her home in Madera. Her last few days were spent surrounded by her family. She was kind, caring, generous and friendly to everyone she met, she truly had a heart of gold, and will be missed immensely.
Mary Lou was born on August 7, 1936 in Madera. After graduating from Madera High School in 1955, she attended Federico's Beauty College and got her first job at Betters Beauty Salon, where she worked for 4 years. Then she opened her own business, "Mary's Beauty Shop" at Ripperdan Corner, which was very successful.
In 1963, she met the love of her life, Harold Ashton (sweetie), and they wed in April 1965. They went on to have four children and a prosperous ranch. After her second child was born, Mary Lou decided to close her beauty shop and devote all of her time to her family. She was active in PTA, a den mother for cub scouts, community & project leader for the Eastin-Arcola 4-H Club and a member of the Saint Joachim's Catholic Church.
When her fourth child was old enough to start preschool, Mary Lou took some accounting and math courses at Fresno City College because she felt it was time for a career change. She was an administrative assistant at Zoria Farms, Inc. for 15 years, before deciding to retire in 1999.
She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, flower gardening, going to antique shops with her husband, collecting Barbie Dolls, and spending time with her grandchildren. She was a fan of Olympic ice-skating and Princess Diana. She was a devout catholic and prayed for everyone she knew (by name).
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Raul Martinez and Amelia Armenta Martinez, her two brothers, Rosalio Salazar and Raul Martinez Jr.
Mary Lou is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Harold Lee Ashton; her sister, Theresa Smith of Fresno; her sister-in-law, Gloria Salazar of Stockton; her son, Harold Lee Ashton Jr. and his wife Kimberly of Fresno; her daughter, Carla Louise Ashton of Madera; her son, Victor Raul Ashton of Madera; her daughter, Angela Gale Ashbot and her husband Allen of Madera; 9 grandchildren, Heather, Joseph, Andrew, Brian, Marylou, Daisy, Selena, Daniel & Andrew; and 4 great-grandchildren, Sofia, Jace, Cora & Brian Jr.
Rosary with viewing at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at St. Joachim's Catholic Church
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, October. 6, 2021 at St. Joachim's Catholic Church, Madera, CA
Interment to follow at Arbor Vitae Cemetery