CLAREMONT, NH– Ellen Lee Roy, formerly of Grandview Street in Claremont, passed away peacefully at the Sullivan County Nursing Home at the age of 90 on February 11, 2025. She was born on November 23, 1934, in Groton, VT the daughter of Mary (Gert) Emery and Justin Ashford. Ellen graduated from Groton High School in 1953 and worked at various local businesses, including International Shoes, Top Stone Furniture, and Grobet File. After her retirement, Ellen took on a part-time job at Stevens High School, where she loved serving lunch to students. She cherished the time spent with the children, many of whom affectionately called her “Gram”.
Ellen grew up in a musical family, with her brother Clifford playing piano and other instruments, which sparked her lifelong love for music. She also enjoyed taking her grandchildren and their friends on fun rides in her Volkswagen Beetle convertible.
On August 23, 1953, Ellen married Arthur “Artie” Lee, who sadly predeceased her on February 10, 1977. She later married Richard A. Roy, who passed away on May 30, 2007. Ellen was also predeceased by her sisters, Charlotte Sanville (2020) and Betty Wilson (2015), her brothers, Clifford Ashford (2018) and John Ashford (2014), her stepdaughter, Pamela “Roy” Bachelder (1997), and her great-grandchild, Kaylee Burke (2022).
Ellen is survived by her two sons, Arthur “Al” Lee, Jr. and his wife Vicki, and Alan “Rocky” Lee, Sr. and his fiancée Eleanor Archibald; her stepchildren, Sandra Roy Schaier and her husband Warren of Wrentham, MA, and Wayne Roy and his wife Elaine of Riverside, CA; her brother, Seth “Pete” Ashford and his wife Donna of South Ryegate, VT; three granddaughters, Michelle Lee Lockwood, Nancy Lee LaClair, and Kimberly Schaier Cohn; four grandsons, Jared Lee, Alan Lee Jr., Scott Schaier, and Jon Roy; 11 great-grandchildren, including Cameron Lockwood, Natasha Lockwood, Harper Lee, Raye Lee, Andrew Burke, Dylan Burke, Siena Schaier, Charles Schaier, Amy Derosier, Evan Lee, and Emma Lee, and 4 great-great-grandchildren, Owen McFarland, Savanna Burke, Vivian Burke, and Jason Burke.
Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Wednesday, February 19th, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street, Claremont, NH. A service will follow at 12:30 PM at Grace River Church, 56 Main Street, Claremont, NH. Burial will be held in the spring at Pinehurst Cemetery in Ryegate, VT.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Sullivan County Nursing Home for the special care they gave Ellen.
