BIOGRAPHY

Ashman was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on 23 November 1912 to parents George Osborne Suppes and Marion Dibert. Her paternal grandfather, George Plitt Suppes, owned most of the land in that area before it underwent development. Her father was the first president of Johnstown Bank and Trust.

Ashman graduated as valedictorian from both Cochran Junior High School and Johnstown High School. In 1934, she graduated cum laude from Bryn Mawr College. She met her future husband, Wilbur M. Ashman, who would later become the head administrator of what was then known as Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital, on the tennis courts behind her house. On 16 June 1936, the two were wed and subsequently had three children: George S. “Jeff” Ashman, Sara “Sally” Cifrese, and Thomas W. Ashman. While her husband managed the medical facility, Ashman devoted many years to volunteering there.

Ashman lived independently until she reached the age of 100. She and her husband used to spend their winters in Naples, Florida, but as her husband passed away and she grew older, the travel became challenging. Therefore, she resided in Florida year-round until 2012 when she relocated to Idaho Falls, Idaho, to live with her daughter.

Ashman passed away in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on 7 June 2024, at the age of 111 years. She was survived by her three children, 9 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Ashman’s age was verified by Stefan Maglov and Jack Ellis, and validated by LongeviQuest on 17 October 2023.

On 8 May 2024, at the age of 111 years, 167 days, she surpassed the final age of Chrystal Harper, becoming the oldest person ever to live in the state of Idaho.

Upon her passing, Hazel Schultz succeeded her as Idaho’s oldest living resident.

ATTRIBUTION

* “‘Like an Eveready battery’: Johnstown native with family ties to city’s history turns 110” – The Tribune-Democrat, 24 November 2022

* Sara Ashman Obituary – Post Register, 14 June 2024

GALLERY