Obituaries
Barbara Ashley
December 25, 2025
It truly was a Wonderful Life. Barbara Ashley was born February 15, 1938, in Woodsville, NH, to Mary Frances Fullerton, and Charles Clarence Ashley. She immediately set out to get the most out of her life. She played clarinet in the band, and broke scoring records in basketball. She could hunt and fish with the boys, and learned how to make clothes, and decorate cakes from her mother. She required no angelic intervention to see purpose in her life.
Barbara attended Plymouth Teachers College, earning her degree in Physical Education and Recreation in 1961, with minors to also teach Music, History, English, and Science. In a world with defined gender roles, Barbara followed no rules, and participated in whichever group or club she saw fit. She was the first woman ever voted into the Good Ole Boys Club of Woodsville.
Barbara started her teaching career in Hanover, NH, teaching Physical Education for grades K-12. She then moved to Concord, NH and taught Physical Education. She was the first girl’s Track and Field coach, and the first girl’s Ski coach in Concord. She also served on the NHIAA Board to develop varsity sports for girls.
Everywhere there were sports, there was Barbara. She worked in the Concord City Athletic Department, the St. Paul’s Summer Program, and the Concord Athletic Club, spearheading, and promoting girl’s and women’s athletics. At the YWCA, she started the state’s first baby swim program. She would later serve as the President of the New Hampshire Association for Physical Education, Health and Recreation.
All the while, Barbara started a family, marrying Peter Gauthier in 1962, and by 1966 had three sons. An accomplished badminton player, and a member of the NH Badminton Association, Barbara was also an excellent bowler, and enjoyed skiing and golf. She sang in choirs, and with her barbershop quartet group, Three Winds and a Gale.
She developed the first exercise to music program at Nashua YWCA. She also created the first Physical Education and Recreation program for the handicapped youth of Mt. Hope School in Nashua.
In 1973, Barbara and her family moved to Littleton, NH. She began a new career in banking, starting with Littleton National Bank, and Lafayette National Bank. She worked in Customer Service, as a Loan Officer, and as a Senior Executive, and the only woman there on many committees.
At Indian Head Bank, she managed branches in Bethlehem and Lisbon. Naturally, she also served on the Bicentennial and Winter Carnival Committees. Ultimately, Indian Head promoted her to the statewide Manager for Training and Development. Like George Bailey, Barbara was having a positive influence on a great many lives.
Throughout her career, Barbara also served the north country as the fiscal agent for her longtime friend, Executive Counselor, Ray Burton. She and Ray were inseparable for over 25 years, making hundreds of appearances at parades, festivals, and events all over Coos and Grafton Counties. Her political career made her a popular community advocate for every governor of New Hampshire, many of whom she knew on a first name basis.
Barbara joined Woodsville Guarantee Savings bank, which later became Siwooganock Bank, serving as a Loan Officer, and Assistant Vice President. She served on the Grafton County Economic Development Council to help reorganize and develop a branch for Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank in Lisbon. She also served on the NH DOT Bureau of Right-of-Way Commission.
Because of her long career in banking, Barbara has literally heard the same words that George Bailey heard, “I wouldn’t have a roof over my head, if it weren’t for you.”
While in Littleton, Barbara was very active in the community, serving on multiple committees, such as the Littleton and Whitefield Bicentennial celebrations, Beauty Pageants, and Frostbite Follies. She was the only woman on the board of the “Moore Dam Fun” Hydroplane Boat Racing Events in Littleton.
She served on the Grafton County Economic Development Council in Haverhill and Plymouth; and the Cottage Hospital Board of Directors. Barbara was also a member of the NH Community Development Finance Authority, and the Governor’s Commission on Lilacs and Wildflowers.
Barbara was active in local theaters, including the Weathervane theater, serving on the Board of Directors; and the Upstage Players, serving as President. She also loved acting, singing, and directing plays. She was a member of the North Country Chorus of Littleton, and McClure’s Alumni Band. She was also a Theater Adjudicator with the NH Theater Alliance.
In tandem with her remarkable career, Barbara enjoyed golf most of all, especially with her children and grandchildren. Even though she had a family of single digit handicappers, Barbara had the only Hole-In-One in the family, accomplishing that feat in 1992.
As if her career wasn’t rich enough, Barbara then served with multiple Chambers of Commerce in the north country. She was President of the Lisbon CC, the Littleton CC, the Franconia Notch CC, and Executive Director of the Littleton CC, and the Franconia Notch CC.
While in Lisbon, Barbara, and a group of enthusiastic citizens, founded the annual Lisbon Lilac Time Festival. She has received multiple accommodations from state governors, and the festival continues on, over 40 years later.
Barbara was the recipient of the 2013 Pollyanna Signature Award, and PSU’s 2025 Raymond S. Burton Public Service Award.
Barbara is survived by son, Michael Gauthier, and wife Jacqueline Moore Gauthier, of Rutland, VT. Grandchildren, Zachary Gauthier, Kathleen Gauthier, and Alison Gauthier.
Son, Kenneth Gauthier, and wife Susan of Sugar Hill, NH. Grandchildren, Cuyler Gauthier, and wife Kathleen, of Grantham, NH, Great-Grandchildren Waverly Gauthier, and Julius Gauthier; Traynor Gauthier and wife Corinne, of Gorham, ME.
Son, Daniel Gauthier, wife Kelley of Melbourne, Florida; and Grandson, Cameron Gauthier.
Brother Bradley F, Ashley, wife Janet Warner-Ashley of St. Johnsbury, VT. Nephews Dr. Charles Warner Ashley, and Eamon Rouke of Berlin Germany.
Niece Elizabeth Ashley, of Newmarket, NH; Niece Deborah Zampieri Gaskin, of Dover; Nephew Richard Zampieri of Brookline, NH.
Several Grand Nieces and Nephews.
In addition to her parents, Barbara was predeceased by her sisters Mary Jane Ashley; Beverly May Ashley Zampieri, and her husband Angelo Richard Zampieri of New London and Lehigh Acres, Florida; Brother Dr. Charles H Ashley of Lee, NH; Granddaughter Taylor Gauthier, of Bow, NH.
And her former husband, Peter Gauthier, of Littleton, the father of their three sons.
Barbara never sought wealth and luxuries for herself, instead spending her money on her family, and helping others. In the end, she was the richest woman in town.
We invite you all to a Celebration of Life at the Shared Ministry Church, 49 South Main Street in Lisbon, NH, on January 5, 2026, at 11:00 AM, with reception to follow at the church. Donations in Barbara’s name can be made to the Shared Ministry Church in Lisbon, or the Old Man of the Mountain Legacy Fund.
To offer the family an online condolence, please visit www.rickerfh.com Ricker Funeral Home & Cremation Care of Woodsville is assisting the family with arrangements.
Barbara attended Plymouth Teachers College, earning her degree in Physical Education and Recreation in 1961, with minors to also teach Music, History, English, and Science. In a world with defined gender roles, Barbara followed no rules, and participated in whichever group or club she saw fit. She was the first woman ever voted into the Good Ole Boys Club of Woodsville.
Barbara started her teaching career in Hanover, NH, teaching Physical Education for grades K-12. She then moved to Concord, NH and taught Physical Education. She was the first girl’s Track and Field coach, and the first girl’s Ski coach in Concord. She also served on the NHIAA Board to develop varsity sports for girls.
Everywhere there were sports, there was Barbara. She worked in the Concord City Athletic Department, the St. Paul’s Summer Program, and the Concord Athletic Club, spearheading, and promoting girl’s and women’s athletics. At the YWCA, she started the state’s first baby swim program. She would later serve as the President of the New Hampshire Association for Physical Education, Health and Recreation.
All the while, Barbara started a family, marrying Peter Gauthier in 1962, and by 1966 had three sons. An accomplished badminton player, and a member of the NH Badminton Association, Barbara was also an excellent bowler, and enjoyed skiing and golf. She sang in choirs, and with her barbershop quartet group, Three Winds and a Gale.
She developed the first exercise to music program at Nashua YWCA. She also created the first Physical Education and Recreation program for the handicapped youth of Mt. Hope School in Nashua.
In 1973, Barbara and her family moved to Littleton, NH. She began a new career in banking, starting with Littleton National Bank, and Lafayette National Bank. She worked in Customer Service, as a Loan Officer, and as a Senior Executive, and the only woman there on many committees.
At Indian Head Bank, she managed branches in Bethlehem and Lisbon. Naturally, she also served on the Bicentennial and Winter Carnival Committees. Ultimately, Indian Head promoted her to the statewide Manager for Training and Development. Like George Bailey, Barbara was having a positive influence on a great many lives.
Throughout her career, Barbara also served the north country as the fiscal agent for her longtime friend, Executive Counselor, Ray Burton. She and Ray were inseparable for over 25 years, making hundreds of appearances at parades, festivals, and events all over Coos and Grafton Counties. Her political career made her a popular community advocate for every governor of New Hampshire, many of whom she knew on a first name basis.
Barbara joined Woodsville Guarantee Savings bank, which later became Siwooganock Bank, serving as a Loan Officer, and Assistant Vice President. She served on the Grafton County Economic Development Council to help reorganize and develop a branch for Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank in Lisbon. She also served on the NH DOT Bureau of Right-of-Way Commission.
Because of her long career in banking, Barbara has literally heard the same words that George Bailey heard, “I wouldn’t have a roof over my head, if it weren’t for you.”
While in Littleton, Barbara was very active in the community, serving on multiple committees, such as the Littleton and Whitefield Bicentennial celebrations, Beauty Pageants, and Frostbite Follies. She was the only woman on the board of the “Moore Dam Fun” Hydroplane Boat Racing Events in Littleton.
She served on the Grafton County Economic Development Council in Haverhill and Plymouth; and the Cottage Hospital Board of Directors. Barbara was also a member of the NH Community Development Finance Authority, and the Governor’s Commission on Lilacs and Wildflowers.
Barbara was active in local theaters, including the Weathervane theater, serving on the Board of Directors; and the Upstage Players, serving as President. She also loved acting, singing, and directing plays. She was a member of the North Country Chorus of Littleton, and McClure’s Alumni Band. She was also a Theater Adjudicator with the NH Theater Alliance.
In tandem with her remarkable career, Barbara enjoyed golf most of all, especially with her children and grandchildren. Even though she had a family of single digit handicappers, Barbara had the only Hole-In-One in the family, accomplishing that feat in 1992.
As if her career wasn’t rich enough, Barbara then served with multiple Chambers of Commerce in the north country. She was President of the Lisbon CC, the Littleton CC, the Franconia Notch CC, and Executive Director of the Littleton CC, and the Franconia Notch CC.
While in Lisbon, Barbara, and a group of enthusiastic citizens, founded the annual Lisbon Lilac Time Festival. She has received multiple accommodations from state governors, and the festival continues on, over 40 years later.
Barbara was the recipient of the 2013 Pollyanna Signature Award, and PSU’s 2025 Raymond S. Burton Public Service Award.
Barbara is survived by son, Michael Gauthier, and wife Jacqueline Moore Gauthier, of Rutland, VT. Grandchildren, Zachary Gauthier, Kathleen Gauthier, and Alison Gauthier.
Son, Kenneth Gauthier, and wife Susan of Sugar Hill, NH. Grandchildren, Cuyler Gauthier, and wife Kathleen, of Grantham, NH, Great-Grandchildren Waverly Gauthier, and Julius Gauthier; Traynor Gauthier and wife Corinne, of Gorham, ME.
Son, Daniel Gauthier, wife Kelley of Melbourne, Florida; and Grandson, Cameron Gauthier.
Brother Bradley F, Ashley, wife Janet Warner-Ashley of St. Johnsbury, VT. Nephews Dr. Charles Warner Ashley, and Eamon Rouke of Berlin Germany.
Niece Elizabeth Ashley, of Newmarket, NH; Niece Deborah Zampieri Gaskin, of Dover; Nephew Richard Zampieri of Brookline, NH.
Several Grand Nieces and Nephews.
In addition to her parents, Barbara was predeceased by her sisters Mary Jane Ashley; Beverly May Ashley Zampieri, and her husband Angelo Richard Zampieri of New London and Lehigh Acres, Florida; Brother Dr. Charles H Ashley of Lee, NH; Granddaughter Taylor Gauthier, of Bow, NH.
And her former husband, Peter Gauthier, of Littleton, the father of their three sons.
Barbara never sought wealth and luxuries for herself, instead spending her money on her family, and helping others. In the end, she was the richest woman in town.
We invite you all to a Celebration of Life at the Shared Ministry Church, 49 South Main Street in Lisbon, NH, on January 5, 2026, at 11:00 AM, with reception to follow at the church. Donations in Barbara’s name can be made to the Shared Ministry Church in Lisbon, or the Old Man of the Mountain Legacy Fund.
To offer the family an online condolence, please visit www.rickerfh.com Ricker Funeral Home & Cremation Care of Woodsville is assisting the family with arrangements.
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