header 1
header 2
header 3

In Memoriam

Mary Christine "Chris" Ashley (McClean) - Class Of 1959 VIEW PROFILE

Mary Christine Chris Ashley (McClean)

Chris did not graduate with our class, but we will always remember her.

Mary Christine "Chris" Ashley, daughter of Paul E. (1914-1976) and Marie (Martin) (1921-1969) Ashley, was born 2 December 1941 Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.  She graduated in 1959 from Okemos High School. She married Robert D. "Bob" McClean.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Sunday 6 July 2008

DEWITT

On July 3, 2008, Chris took the hand of God and entered the kingdom of Heaven, 15 years after going head to head with metastasized breast cancer, displaying unbelievable courage and determination.  Her bravery, tenacity, sense of humor, and astonishing commitment to living life to the fullest was an inspiration to all who knew her.

Born in Kalamazoo, MI to Paul and Marie Ashley (Martin) on December 2, 1931, she was the oldest of five children.  She grew up in rural Okemos attending school there and graduating from Otsego High School in 1959, where she had moved to care for her aunt who was seriously injured in an auto accident. (Note:  Chris' picture is in the 1959 Tomahawk yearbook and she is listed as a Class of '59 alumni.) Chris began working in her mid-teens and was always a dedicated employee, one of many wonderful traits she lovingly passed onto her three children.  She eventually landed her dream job with the Michigan House of Representatives and worked for a number of years there before she unselfishly interrupted her career to accompany Bob to Montague, MI.  In 1996, they returned and she resumed her work at the House as a highly skilled and tireless legislative aid, endearing herself to everyone who knew her.  She retired in 2002 when she again became a full-time doting nana to her dearly beloved grandchildren.

Chris loved to travel.  Around town, around the State, or anywhere in the world, from Florida beaches to England, Scotland, France, Italy, and on numerous cruises to the Caribbean.  She had an unquenchable thirst for the beautiful and unique places in the world.  At home in DeWitt, she found and kept her spiritual peace at the Catholic Community of St. Jude, where she practiced her religion and her deep love of music for five dedicated years as an alto in the church choir until shortly before her death.  She spent most of her final months and days quietly at home, comforted by her husband, her friends, and her extraordinary puppy, "Squirty," sent from God to love and comfort her and those around her during the last year of her life.  She finally found well-deserved eternal peace surrounded by her dear family while in the compassionate care of the nurses of Sparrow Hospice and in the arms of her loving husband.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Marie Ashley (Martin); brother, Paul Ashley; and nephew William Ashley.  Let to mourn her loss and cherish her wonderful memory are her husband, Bob; daughter, Angela (Elliott) Woodworth; sons Andrew (Lori) Hemenway, Joseph Hemenway; stepchildren, Steve (Marisa) McClean, David (Nicole) McClean; 8 grandchildren, Chelsea, Joey, Ryan, Griffin, Alexander, Colin, Cora, Ethan; 2 brothers, Jeff (Trish Ellison) Ashley and Franklin Ashley; 1 sister, Lynn (Joe) Maceroni; special aunt, Bobbi Doornhaag; many special friends; and "Squirty."

The Funeral Mass will be cerebrated on Tuesday, July 8 at 11:00 a.m. at Catholic Community of St. Jude, 801 N. Bridge Street, DeWitt with the Rev. Fr. Dwight M. Ezop as celebrant.



Click here to see Mary Christine "Chris"'s last Profile entry.