Louise McDowell Ashbaugh

 Louise McDowell Ashbaugh, 99, of Ligonier, was called to her eternal home Wednesday June 24, 2026. She was born October 26, 1926 at Sunshine Mine (near Masontown) the daughter of the late Edward J. and Elizabeth Ritenour McDowell.
She was a member of the Covenant Presbyterian Church of Ligonier and was a 1943 graduate of the Derry Township High School and a 1947 graduate of Indiana State Teachers College (IUP) having majored in clarinet and piano. During World War II she was a member of the "all male" Indiana marching band. Having taught music in South Greensburg she had organized the South Greensburg Junior High Marching Band and taught music in the Derry Area School District from 1966-1989. Over the years she was involved in many musical events as director, accompanist and singer. A founding member of the New Alexandria BPW she had started Brownie and Girl Scout Troops in New Alexandria. At one time in her life she swam the width of Keystone Lake and drove tractor on the family farm in the 1940's. In retirement she took up Irish Whistle and accordion. She was a lively warm, inviting person who cared deeply about others always loving to cook and make sure that everyone around her was well fed and happy.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of seventy-two years James E. Ashbaugh and a granddaughter Bethany S. Edmondson.
She is survived by her daughters; Kathleen L. Ashbaugh of Ligonier and Rebecca A. Edmondson (William) of Mt. Desert, Maine, grandchildren; Bridget E. Horman (Karl) and Ethan T. Edmondson (Jessica), great grandchildren; Bethany A. and Kirchner W. Horman, Liam J. and Finnley S. Edmondson.
Friends will be received Monday June 29, 2026 from 4-7 pm in the McCabe Funeral Home, 144 East Main Street, Ligonier. A funeral service will be conducted Tuesday June 30, 2026 at 11am in the Covenant Presbyterian Church of Ligonier with her pastor the Reverend Jordan Harris officiating. ( Everyone go directly to the church) Private interment will be made in the Ligonier Valley Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made to www.mccabefuneralhomespa.com.