ASHCROFT - PATRICIA J. - Maine & NH, 2020

Peterborough, NH - Patricia (Miller) Ashcroft, 82, of Peterborough, N.H., became one of God's angels on January 6, 2020, after battling a long illness. Patricia was born on January 19, 1937, in Monroe, Maine, and was raised by her adopted parents Clifford and Marion Cummings. She took great pride in raising her own family and was happiest whenever they were near. Her greatest assets were her strength and her love she gave unconditionally to all who crossed her path with a special emphasis on nurturing and encouraging children to succeed. She was also a dedicated member of Trinity United Church in Seabrook, N.H.
Patricia is survived by her husband William Ashcroft; son Clifford Miller; daughters Catherine Hilliard, Judith Lovering, Laurie Miller, Evelyn Garnett; many grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her first husband Roger Miller and her son Roger D. Miller.
Private services will be held in the spring.


Patricia was the second child of Grace Lois Rice Anthony.  Grace married Raymond Lawrence Anthony of Ohio and shortly after had her first child.  The marriage was short lived and Grace returned back to the Rice farmstead in Northfield, Maine.  A few years later Grace, along with her daughter, moved to the Belfast area where she was hired as a housekeeper.  During that time she became pregrant with her second child, Patricia, but could not afford to raise her, so placed her up for adoption.    Grace never told anyone about the second child, not even her parents, and it would be many years later that the two sisters learned of one another and began  writing and talking on the phone.
The young couple that adopted Patricia was Clifford Cummings and Marion Cole.  Shortly after the baby was put up for adoption, Grace returned back to the Rice farmstead, where her and her first child lived in a one room log cabin on the Rice property.