MARIE SELE ASHCRAFT,

died in her sleep on Saturday, March 21, 2009.

Marie, an only child, was born to James and Clara Sele in Brooklyn, N.Y., Sept. 25, 1918. Her father and her mother’s brother were shipmates in the U.S. Navy during WWI. Raised by her aunts during her early childhood, Marie and her family relocated to California at the age of 12 years. Marie and her family settled in Long Beach, and she graduated from Wilson High School where she met and later married her husband of 45 years, Lyndal “Lyn” Ray Ashcraft.

Highlights of Marie’s life included her experiences as a contestant and winner for early radio versions of “Name that song,” a model for a local photographer, and small acting roles in various community theater groups.

At end of WWII, Marie and Lyn settled in Jonesboro, Ark., where their first two daughters, Lynda Val and Melissa Noel, were born. Marie’s next two children, Angela Lee and Paul Scott, were born in Santiago, Chile, during the mid-50s.

With her husband, Marie traveled extensively in the years following the end of WWII. Lyn’s first overseas position was as paymaster for an engineering firm locating and drilling for bridge and dam sites in the Near East. Some of the countries they visited included Lebanon, Turkey, Italy, France, Spain and Belgium.

After their return to the U.S. and Lyn’s beginning career with the U.S. State Department, Department of Foreign Services, they both traveled all over South America, Central America and Mexico for a period covering another 15 years, making a home and attending school and local functions in Santiago, Chile; Mexico City, Mexico; Quito, Ecuador; and Asuncion, Paraguay.

Georgetown, Guyana was Marie’s and Lyn’s final posting with the U.S. Foreign Service Department before his retirement and their relocation and settlement in Green Valley in 1975. There, with first residents of the new “town” they enjoyed an active social life while meeting wonderful new friends. Marie’s loving husband and friend passed away in 1984.

Some time after Lyn’s death, Marie sold her home and relocated to the Silver Springs community with other Green Valley friends made during the 20 years of her residence, including a close and dear one, Edward Strnad, now deceased. Marie was one of the “pioneers” of the Silver Springs Community.

Marie’s grandson, James Hulland, preceded her in 2003; but is survived by her three daughters and one son; five grandsons and one granddaughter: Steve Hulland Jr., Richard and William Brindamour, Sean and Kyle Sether, and Lindsey Warren; as well as two great-grandsons and three great-granddaughters: Dylan and Victoria Hulland. Jessica Hulland, Carmen Herring, and Atticus Brindamour.

All her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends mourn her passing and will miss her.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 26, at the Green Valley Mortuary, 18751 S. La Canada in Green Valley.