Farmington – Ardys P. Elliott (Parshley)

Ardys Elliott, age 89 of 7 Elliott Lane, Farmington, NH passed away on June 13, 2015 at Frisbie Memorial Hospital surrounded by her loving family. Ardys was born in Farmington, NH September 1, 1925, attended school in Farmington and graduated high school in 1943. During high school she worked at the laundry on East Grove Street and the Five and Dime on Main Street. After high school, Ardys took a war-time course at McIntosh College in Dover and then secured a job at the University of New Hampshire as a secretary to the Dean of Men and Women. There she met her husband, Robert Elliott who she married on Christmas Day, 1945. They then worked at a ski lodge in Jackson, NH for a short time and then purchased a store in Rochester on Main Street.

They then decided to move back to Bob's hometown of Claremont, NH where she became a bookkeeper for an auto dealership. After some time they moved back to Rochester, NH where she started working as a bookkeeper at a bank in South, Berwick, Maine and then a telephone operator in Rochester. After her husband became ill they moved back to her home town of Farmington where she worked at Osgood's Drug Store, and from thereon she landed her dream job of working in the school system in Farmington where she was secretary to the principal while working as bookkeeper for the school lunch program. She retired from the school system after working for 26 years in 1986. After retirement she made it her full time job to take care of her husband, who had multiple sclerosis.

She spent much time at Rochester Manor after her husband passed there, working with staff and residents, making beautiful flower bouquets for the patients and visited many acquaintances who were home-bound bringing them homemade gifts and flowers from her garden. She volunteered for a number of years at Cocheco Valley Humane Society helping out in any way she could with the office staff and worked on many fundraising projects for the welfare of the animals she so loved. Ardys' joy was helping others and working in her garden for endless hours. She also took in many stray cats and provided them with a good home. She loved to watch the birds around her pond and became a summer mother to the many ducks and their babies who frequented the pond. Ardys was very generous to her community helping with the Congregational Church in Farmington, of which she was a member for many years, donated to many projects such as the Fernald Park bandstand, the Farmington High School entrance sign as well as many other charities.

Ardys also enjoyed traveling in her later years with her son and daughter-in-law to Florida and Hawaii as well as spending time with her family.

Ardys was the first-born child to Richmond and Bernice Leighton Parshley. She is predeceased by her parents, her husband Robert, brothers Richmond Parshley, Frank Parshley, granddaughter Teri Lynn Elliott and great-grandson, Christopher Allen Sublette. Surviving family members include her son Barry A. Elliott and his wife Angela of Farmington, brother Floyd Parshley of El Paso, Texas and sister Lois Beaudoin of Rochester as well as several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by grandchildren Lori Elliott and her fiancé Anthony Elwell of Milton, Stephen Elliott, Barry Elliott, Jr. and his wife April of Farmington, step-grandchildren Sarah Hanchett and her fiancé John Pike of Farmington as well as Ryan Cloutier of Portland, Oregon. Her great-grandchildren include James Elliott, Lexi Merrill, Stephanie Elliott, Jordan Elliott, Stephen Elliott, Jr., and Gage Elliott as well as several step-great-grandchildren.

Calling hours are Wednesday evening from 6-8 pm at Peaslee Funeral Home, 24 Central Street in Farmington, NH with a funeral service on Thursday June 18, 2015 at 11am at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cocheco Valley Humane Society, 262 County Farm Road, Dover, NH 03820.