Virginia Beach - Rosemary Lovejoy Ashman, 73, died August 30, 2017. She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Berton William Ashman, MD, in March of this year.

Born Rose Eunice Lovejoy on November 2, 1943, in Springfield, Massachusetts, she took the name Rosemary upon her confirmation. Rosemary spent her childhood years in Massachusetts, where her father’s family had settled in the 1600's, then Philadelphia, and finally Manchester, Connecticut, where she graduated from Manchester High School in 1961. Rosemary proceeded to Grace New Haven School of Nursing where she received her RN degree in 1964. It was in New Haven that, at age 19, she met her husband-to-be, Berton, then a medical student at Yale. In 1964, they married and moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, where Berton served out his internship and residency, Rosemary practiced nursing at the University of Virginia Hospital, and they welcomed their first child into the world. Except for several years back in New Haven in the late 1960’s while Berton completed his fellowship, they spent the rest of their lives making their home and raising their family in Virginia Beach, where they could be close to Berton's extended family. Here she served on the Virginia Beach General Hospital Auxiliary Board and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Rosemary was tirelessly dedicated to family. While raising five children, she nursed her parents through terminal illness with loving devotion. Known for her broad smile and easy laughter, she was a devoted friend to many, but her closest friend was her husband, Berton. Their abiding love and romance was an inspiration to their children, instilling warmth, humor, and happiness always in their home. 

Rosemary loved to cook. She made sitting down to a family meal a priority. Even when Berton was establishing his practice and working long hours, dinner wasn't served until he was home, ensuring everyone was together at least once a day. She was excited to try new recipes and share them with her family, but her old ones were favorites. Making her famous “chili” sauce and holiday shortbread from her family’s recipe remain traditions passed down to her children. 
Rosemary loved to travel. She helped to organize the first so-called “Virginia Beach Ski Club” trips to Vermont in the 1970’s, convincing her husband to take up the sport at the age of 40. (It began his life-long love of the sport and the first of many family trips her children will never forget.) Later in life, she and Berton traveled often, through Europe with friends and throughout the country, bringing back stories and pictures that all reflected the same thing: their endless love for each other’s company.

Rosemary is survived by her children, Rosemary I. Ashman (Richard), Jennifer A. Duemmel (Paul), Eleanore A. Ashman, Berton W. Ashman, Jr. (Meredith), and Matthew L. Ashman (Angela), her nine grandchildren, Ian and Erin Pulley, Mark and Grant Duemmel, Charlie and Aubrey Ashman, and Ethan, Dylan, and Taylor Ashman, and her brother-in-law Stuart Ashman. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her parents, Joseph Thompson Lovejoy, II and Rose Ellen Donnelly Lovejoy, her brother Joseph T. Lovejoy, III, her sister Marilyn Wilkinson, and her granddaughter Jordan Ashman.
Rosemary Lovejoy Ashman carried a big heart. She gave her love freely to her family, without reservation. She is loved dearly. Her children and grandchildren will miss her always. 

A memorial mass will be held Tuesday September 19, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. at Star of the Sea Catholic Church. For those who wish to make a donation in Rosemary’s name, please consider giving to the BrightFocus Foundation at BrightFocus.org.