Julie Ann Ashley

Julie Ann Fortier Ashley of Center Conway, passed away peacefully on the morning of June 5, 2024 after a yearlong battle with congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease, she was 68. Julie was born on April 24, 1956 to parents Pauline Fortier (Hanscom) and Lawrence F. Fortier in Lewiston, Maine. Julie grew up on the family farm in Otisfield, where she attended grade school, and received her diploma from Oxford Hills High School Class of 1974. In 1977, Julie met her future husband, Benjamin J Ashley III from Brooklyn, New York, and they were wed that autumn on October 15, 1977. On March 20, 1978, Julie and Ben were blessed with their first daughter Amy, followed by their second daughter Licia on July 25, 1981. Then on July 26, 2016 Julie and Ben were gifted a grandson, Edwin Lawrence Flagg, whom Julie always called her “sweet, sweet boy”. Julie often spoke of how much she loved and had so much pride for her two nephews, Barry and Mark Keisman, and also her two “granddaughters” Emma and Brooklyn Flagg of Fryeburg, Maine. Although Julie and Ben only had two biological children, Julie opened her heart and home to many, many more. Affectionately known as Mom, Ma, Ma Dukes, and Jules. Her love for children and animals knew no bounds, and children and animals loved her. She deeply cared and loved all of her “kids” in Maine and New Hampshire. like a mother. Kris-Jenna Gonzalez, Alicia Carter, Megan Frost, Sileena Libby (Delano) and Garby Delano, Heather Oulette (Comer), Elijah Burgess, Sam Huntley, George Woods, Charity Croteau, Chris Drew, and Crystal Jones are just some of the people she called hers. Julie also loved and had a special bond with her kitty Gizmo, who she had for 19 years, along with all the family’s cats and dogs that she referred to as her babies too. For most of her life, Julie was a homemaker. As her girls got older, Julie ventured back into the workforce first in hospitality, and then in her trained profession as a line cook in local eateries Christmas Farm Inn, Whitney’s Inn, and Yesterday’s until her health forced her into early retirement in 2002. A firm believer in family are the people who love you and not just those you are related to, she often spoke praises and of the love she had for her two son-in-law’s, Christopher Murray and Edwin A. Flagg, whom she used to say “were the best two son-in-law’s a mother could ask for”. Julie was predeceased by her parents, several aunts and uncles, as well as cousins. She is survived by her husband Ben of 46 years, of Center Conway. Her daughters and their spouses, Amy & Christopher Murray of Conway, Licia, Ed & Eddie Flagg of Center Conway, her sister Susan Keisman and her husband Henry of Otisfield, Maine, many grandnieces and grandnephews, and her best friend of 30 years, Johannah York of Center Conway. Though the loss is heavy on our hearts, we know Julie’s unconditional love will surround us always. She was truly one of a kind, and to know her was to love her. Arrangements were made through Furber Funeral Home and Cremation Services. At the family’s request, there will be no services, but a celebration of life is planned for a later date to be determined. Donations in Julie’s memory can be made to the American Heart Association, The American Kidney Foundation, or any organization for the benefit of children or animals