Laura I. Ashton

Laura I. Ashton (nee Pagano), 93, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2023, at Richfield Living in Salem, VA. She was born July 8, 1930, in Philadelphia, PA. She is preceded in death by her husband of 34 years, Frank W. Ashton.

Laura grew up in Philadelphia, married and raised her family there. She worked in the medical field for various pharmacies, doctors and medical offices. Upon her retirement, she moved to Hancock County, GA where she built a new home with her long-time companion, Peter Ludwig. Eventually, she found her way to Smith Mountain Lake in Southwest VA where she had lived since the early 2000s.

Laura is survived by her daughter, Kathleen Buttil and her husband Steven of Rocky Mount; her son Steven Ashton and his wife Marilyn of Wirtz; her grandson Jeremy Buttil and his wife Erin; her great-granddaughter Evelyn Buttil; her granddaughter Kristen Goffredo and her husband Michael; and her brothers Nicholas Pagano and Charles Pagano.

The family would like to thank the staff at Richfield Living Wellness, Honeysuckle Cottage and Good Sam Hospice nurses and social workers. We especially appreciate Spiritual Care Coordinator Tamara Jaffe who made an extra effort to stop by to visit our mother often. We’d also like to acknowledge Pastor Caleb Walker for his spiritual care and frequent visits to our mother.

A celebration of Laura’s life will be held at Franklin Heights Church at 110 Hilltop Drive, Rocky Mount, VA 24151 on December 12, 2023 at 11AM.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Good Samaritan Hospice at 2408 Electric Rd., Roanoke, VA 24018, Franklin County Humane Society at 18401 Virgil H Goode Hwy., Rocky Mount, VA 24151 or Franklin Heights Church at 110 Hilltop Drive, Rocky Mount, VA 24151.