Philomena Marie (“Phil”) Ashley, 96, of Savoy, Illinois, formerly of Paris, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 8, 2026, after a brief illness.

She was born February 12, 1930, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Domenico Toscani and Angela Giulia Veneranda Magnarelli Toscani. She met Gerald R.(“Jed”) Ashley while he was in the Marines and stationed in Philadelphia. They were married on April 11, 1953, in Philadelphia. He predeceased her on June 8, 2010.

She is survived by her son, Michael (Karen) Ashley of Jackson, Tennessee, four daughters, Theresa Ashley (Brian) Edwards, of Sterling, Massachusetts, Mary Ashley (David Bannard) of Truro, Massachusetts, Kathy Ashley of Champaign, Illinois and Barbara Ashley of Plymouth, Michigan; and eleven grandchildren: Jonathan (Nikki) Ashley, Jessica (Justin) Widmayer, Timothy (Chelsea) Ashley, Chloe Ashley, Carolyn (Orterio) Villa, Sawyor (Charlie) deCastro, Anderson Bannard, Katie Edwards, Matthew Edwards, Ellis Bannard and Shaucka Ashley Taylor; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons, Thomas (Cynthia Moore) Ashley and Timothy (Dotty Busby) Ashley, two brothers, Anthony and Stanley Toscani, and a sister, Josephine Johnson.

Philomena was a graduate of Charles E. Ellis School for Girls in Newton Square Pennsylvania, a scholarship school for girls who had lost their fathers. During their married lives, Philomena and Jed lived in Hume, Illinois and Paris, Illinois before they moved to Crystal Lake Club in Avon Park, Florida in 2003. After Jed’s death, Philomena lived in Jackson, Tennessee and later in Savoy, Illinois.

Philomena was a devout Catholic. During her years in Paris, Philomena was a member of St. Mary’s Church where she was a choir member and was active in Altar Society and Catholic Daughters of the Americas. When she lived in Jackson, she was a member of St. Mary’s Church where she also sang in the choir and later was a member of St. Patrick’s Church in Urbana, Illinois.

She volunteered with Meals on Wheels and was a volunteer driver with FISH when she lived in Paris. When she lived in Jackson she sang in the Jackson Choral Society and was a member of a knitting group that knitted hats to donate to hospitals for newborn babies.

She dedicated her life to her family, raising her children and supporting their activities, whether it be band, football, 4-H or Girl Scouts. She enjoyed visiting her children and loved being Nana to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She and Jed spent Christmastime dressing up as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus and would visit nursing homes, shut-ins, day care centers and friends’ children and grandchildren.

Philomena was a wonderful cook of Italian food and always baked a dozen varieties of Christmas cookies. She was an avid reader, enjoyed opera and was always ready to play Scrabble, Chinese checkers or Kings in the Corner with her children and grandchildren.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff, nurses and aides at Windsor Court Assisted Living at The Windsor of Savoy and the hospice nurses and aides for their attentive, skilled and compassionate care during Philomena’s last days.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at St. Mary’s Church with visitation at the church that morning from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Stewart and Carroll Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Philomena may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 528 N. Main Street, Paris, IL 61944 or https://stmaryschurchparis.org/donations/ 

For online condolences please visit www.stewartandcarrollfuneralhome.com