Clara Elizabeth Allen Ashcroft, age 88, passed away on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015 in the presence of loved ones. She was a native of Munhall, Penn., and raised her family in Port Vue, Penn. She had been a resident of Smithfield since 2003.

She worked at Woolworth’s and Immel’s in Pennsylvania. Her hobbies and interests included playing cards, Word Find puzzles, and playing Bingo. She especially enjoyed all Pittsburgh professional sports.

Preceding her in rest is her husband of 52 years, Allen J. Ashcroft; parents, Eugene and Elizabeth Allen; and sisters, Mercedes Meredith and Dorothy Allen, all from Munhall..

Surviving members of her family include her sisters, Grace Connell (Murrysville, Penn.), Catherine Zaranek and husband Richard (Hilton Head, S.C.), Elizabeth Jennings (Monroeville, Penn.), Elizabeth Ashcroft Rittenhour (Versailles, Penn.); children, Allen Ashcroft and wife Shelley (Lititz, Penn.), Dale Ashcroft and wife Lynn (Newport News), Clara Ashcroft Rowe and husband Jerry “Tweedy” (Smithfield) and Patricia Ashcroft Nelson and fiancé James Woodward (Ligonier, Penn.); nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. 

The family recognizes and expresses appreciation to June Pius for her devotion and love as caregiver for Mrs. Ashcroft over the past years, as well as some very special nurses and aides at her health care facilities.

Visitation for friends and family will be Thursday, Oct. 16, 2015, 6-8 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home, A funeral Mass will be held at The Church of the Good Shepherd, 300 Smithfield Boulevard, Smithfield, on Oct. 17, 11 a.m. A light reception will be held afterward in the church hall. A private burial will be in St. Luke’s Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to Hampton Roads Autism Association, 6300 E Virginia Beach Blvd Norfolk VA 23502 or to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, 6350 Center Dr., Suite 102, Norfolk, VA  23504
Arrangements are under the care of Colonial Funeral Home, 14214 Carrollton Boulevard, Carrollton. Family and friends are encouraged to share condolences and remembrances at colonialfuneralhomesmithfield.com.