Annabelle Ashton-7-13-2024

Annie “Belle” Ashton – Annabelle was born on September 21, 1937 in West Moreland County, VA to the late David and Annie Clayton. Anna Belle, affectionately known as Boobie, was the middle child of 13. She’d spend her days helping her parents with her younger siblings, while also tending to her education at AT Johnson School in Montross, VA. Those early years set a foundation for a lifelong dedication to taking care of her family.

Following the completion of her education, she met and married her husband, Harry Ashton, in 1960. After giving birth to three sons in Virginia, the family relocated to New Jersey and settled into a quiet life. In NJ Anna Belle started a long tenure working for Dr. Frank Pignataro and family, keeping house, and providing childcare for over 40 years. Anna Belle enjoyed her career and loved the Pignataro family.

During this time, she also raised five sons of her own; Harry Jr., Albert, Richard, Paul, and Carl (Brutus), in addition to helping care for and raise her grandchildren when needed. She welcomed everyone and her 'family ' quickly grew to include friends, her children’s friends, and members of the Red Bank westside community.

In her free time, she would catch and prepare crabs, or prepare those her husband and sons had caught. This all tied into her true passions, cooking, and feeding anyone who came by her door hungry. Her Chicken and Fish sandwiches were a big hit among those who tried them.

She loved being surrounded by her children, and later her 18 grandchildren who would help her on her crabbing trips, as well as in her garden where she grew many of the vegetables she was known to prepare, such as string beans and greens.

She also loved to visit family and friends in Virginia and Baltimore. When she needed to let her hair down you could find her in Atlantic City enjoying the slots.

On June 23, 2024 she departed this world surrounded by family and loved ones. She is received in death by her husband Harry Ashton, her two sons Harry Sylvester Ashton and Albert Preston Ashton, her daughter in law Michelle Ashton – grandson Algieron Pines, sisters Betty, Elizabeth, Bonnie, Clara, Julia, Louise (Plum) and brothers Earle, Harden, and Hoover.

She is survived by her sons Richard (Cynthia), Paul and Carl; her sisters Ruth, Esther, Martha, and Carolyn; her many grandchildren and great grandchildren; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and cherished memories.