Judith Ash Obituary

Judith Ash Pinopolis, SC - With a rich sense of place and purpose, Ms. Judy Ash filled each room she entered with a distinctly powerful yet elegant energy. Her aura was that of a woman who was fortunate enough to know precisely where she'd come from and exactly who she is. Where she was headed, however, was generally a coin toss, and she would embrace any new adventure with open arms. Born to Thomas Edward and Julia Parker Young in Pinopolis, SC, she was blessed to have a solid groundwork for her spiritual and personal development. Her mother expanded Judy's childhood home to make room for Punch 'n Judy Kindergarten, where the focus of the curriculum was music, and Judy's Shetland pony, Candy, made regular appearances. One of her best childhood friends was Beth Lacey, and the two of them enjoyed exploring the vast area where Lake Moultrie was being built. So much hustle and bustle! Just down the road, the Gills owned a huge horse. Ms. Judy knew that she'd be eternally lucky when she fell from the large equine on her 13th birthday and received 13 stitches on her scalp. Many summers were spent on her paternal grandfather's tobacco farm, where each day was orchestrated like a symphony. It was fun and interesting work for a young girl eager to learn, and every day there were at least a dozen people, many cousins and many hands, gathered for a hearty dinner. To balance the tough physical farm labor, Judy's maternal grandmother was a seamstress who sewed for Ava Gardner, and also crafted a beautiful wardrobe for her granddaughter. From the earliest memories of an idyllic youth, Judy was always encouraged to reach for any goal she might fancy. She took Flamenco dancing lessons in Charleston, captained the basketball team, and cheered for the Berkeley Stags while running school organizations. She toyed with the idea of becoming a detective or a doctor, but her love of travel was calcified when she spent her Converse College Junior year studying abroad in Paris and Rome. Judy had already seen much of America after working in Yellowstone during summer breaks. So, she traveled with three of her classmates, Julie Cook and Sally Carr, who sailed on the Holland American line from New York City to meet another friend, Monies Smith, to make the Hotel Lutetia their new home base in Paris. The Carrs had arranged for a case of champagne for the crossing, and absolutely nothing could've been finer as the young women savored every moment of that adventure. After leaving college, she embraced an opportunity to live with her maternal grandmother in Miami. In Southern Florida, Judy fell in with a boisterous and worldly crowd. Delta was hiring women to learn their new computer system, and it was there that she learned an important lesson: Machines are only as smart as the people running them. That experience led to an introduction to the flight crews, for which Judy quickly signed up. It was a thrilling time to be a stewardess - first for Delta, and later for Pan American World Airways from the '60s to the '80s. She loved all of the stops from Tehran to Tokyo, but her favorite was Hong Kong. Another highlight of that job was being able to assist American soldiers flying out of Saigon for their R&R during Vietnam. Pan Am offered that service for free. It was in the World Wings International group that she continued to foster her loyalty to her Pan Am friends. In time, she married the charming Charles (Chuck) Ash from Mahwah, NJ, and they settled in Litchfield, CT. She had a dual career of nurturing a family that includes two sons who now have families of their own, supporting her husband's marketing career, then building herself another successful career in real estate, Ms. Judy retired to the comfort of her original childhood home on the Pinopolis peninsula, where Candy once roamed. Her myriad of close friends and family kept her busy and active. Each week was a fun and busy schedule of civic engagements on the Board of the Red Cross, Honorary Commander of Charleston Air Force Base, and the Advisory Committee for the Wings Club, Board Member of the Berkeley County Aviation Committee, Garden Club of America, women's forums, competitive flower arranging, bridge, book clubs, and church meetings at Pinopolis Methodist Church where she maintained her membership for more than seven decades. Most importantly, Ms. Judy treasured her friends and family, always ready to dispense humor and wisdom. She leaves behind a brother, Tommy Young and his wife, Catherine Traynham, of Folly Beach; her niece, Isabelle Sydney Young, her husband, Paul Pearson, and their daughter, June. Two sons, Bernard Snow Ash and wife, Lize-Marie Hottegindre, of Incline Village, NV (Lake Tahoe); Guyton Parker Ash and wife, Susan, of Charleston. Six adored grandchildren: Violette, Phebee, Max and Tallac Ash of Incline Village, NV (Lake Tahoe); Oliver and Charlie Ash of Charleston. She kept close to her heart dear friends who cared for her over the years, especially Clara Hampton, Bertha Lee and Frank Nelson, and Terry Griffin. She's predeceased by her beloved husband of 34 years, Charles Frederick Ash II. During a moment of recent reminiscence, Ms. Judy commented, "Most of my life, if I thought of something to do, I did it." Services will be held at Pinopolis Methodist Church on Thursday, March 17th, at 11am, immediately followed by a Celebration of Life gathering at 155 Broughton Hall Road, Pinopolis, SC. - Ms. Judy's childhood home. Memorials may be sent to the Lowcountry Red Cross at 1926 Kerry St., Charleston, SC 29406, Wings Club Foundation, or World Wings International. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston