Mare Tamme Ashford passed away on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 surrounded by family in Lumberville, Pennsylvania. She was born in Viljandi, Estonia and fled to Germany at the age of 4 with her mother, stepfather, sister, grandmother, aunt and uncle. They resided in refugee camps before immigrating to the United States in 1949, moving first to Seabrook, NJ.

After graduating High School, she attended college at The University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a Dental Hygienist degree. She wed Dr. George Ashford in 1961, and had three children before moving to Bucks County, Pennsylvania (Pleasant Valley), where she raised her children on a farm living in a historic farmhouse.

Mare had many career accomplishments starting with her working as a real estate agent for Dorey Real Estate. She was always interested in gardening and living an organic and healthy life. As interest and love for gardening grew, she started her own herb farm and business on Pleasant Valley Herb Farm.

In 1991 she moved to Historic Bethlehem and began working with Rodale press on Organic Gardening magazine, where she stayed for 10 years. Towards the end of her career she worked for Osmegen, a company owned by her son. She retired at the age of 70.

Mare was able to spend more time with her family, children and grandchildren. Of course her passion for gardening always kept her busy creating beautiful gardens in her own back yard. Every year she would always say how they turned out more beautiful than the last, and that they did! And in her last months of her life she was still making gardening plans for the next spring season. She loved cooking and trying all new types of recipes. Coming home to visit, you always had an amazing fresh cooked meal and loving atmosphere that was like a warm loving retreat. Mare was the most passionate, giving and loving person! She kept her Estonian heritage close to her heart, making traditional Estonian dishes and introducing her children and grandchildren to Estonian traditions. She will be forever in our hearts! We love you Mom!

She was preceded in death by, mother Vaige, sister Helge, aunt and uncle, Helge and Rannar. She is survived by her three children, George, Robert and Karin and seven grandchildren, Arden, Elise, Wade, George, Henry, Taylor and Kylee.

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