Obituary of Mary Jane Ashley

Mary Jane Nolan Ashley, 71, of Clifton Park, beloved wife to Leonard Charles “Len” Ashley, died on Monday, December 22, 2025 at Albany Medical Center Hospital. She had previously been a resident of Stillwater for 32 years.

Born and raised in Troy, NY, she was the daughter of the late Frederick J. and Mary E. Noonan Nolan, Sr., and was a graduate of Troy High School, Class of 1973 and earned her Associates Degree from Albany Business College.

Mrs. Nolan retired in 2012 from the New York State Dept. of Higher Education in Albany where she dedicated 23 years.

Mary Jane was devoted to her family. She enjoyed celebrating birthdays and holidays with all of her extended family, and especially loved to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and Christmas. Her hobbies included celebrating everything Irish, camping in Massena, riding on jet skis, and taking trips with her dear friend Barb. Mary Jane was an avid poet who always had a song in her heart and was often heard singing “When Irish eyes are smiling…”

Beloved wife to “Len”, devoted mother to Jason E. Nolan, Jaime Marie Ashley, and Leonard (Cristina) Ashley, II, sister of Harold E. (Carolyn) Nolan, Phillip A. (late, Cindy) Nolan, Betty Ann (Earl) Turner, the late, Frederick J. Nolan, Jr., the late, George C. Nolan and the late John E. Nolan, cherished grandmother of Destiny, Faith, Patience, Angel, Leonard, III and Calvin, also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 RT-9, Clifton Park, NY 12065 for Calling Hours on Friday, December 26, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and to her Funeral Service the following morning (Saturday) which begins at 10:00 a.m.

Interment will be held in Eagle Mills Cemetery, Brunswick.

Those desiring, may make memorial contributions to the Dementia Society of America, P.O. Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901 or online at dementiasociety.org or to an Autism charity of your choice, in memory of Mary Jane Ashley.

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