Elizabeth “Ashley” Nestmann, 60, passed away on Saturday, April 4, at her home in Charleston, West Virginia, following a long illness. She was the beloved daughter of Harry (H.R.) and Jane Thompson Johnson.
Ashley was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio, and raised in West Virginia. She graduated from St. Albans High School in 1984, later earning her bachelor’s degree from Miami University of Ohio and a master’s degree from San Francisco State University in Teaching English as a Second Language.
Ashley lived a life full of adventure and curiosity. Her journey took her to North Carolina, where she worked as a whitewater rafting guide and on a bicycle trek across the western United States. She also spent time in California teaching ESL before ultimately returning home to the state she loved “Wild, Wonderful” West Virginia, where she married her best friend and soul mate.
A gifted and creative spirit, Ashley was an accomplished musician who especially loved playing the flute, piano, and bass guitar. She also found joy in gardening and crafting, crocheting many treasured items for family and friends over the years. Ashley cherished time spent with loved ones, painting, hiking, dancing, telling stories, and sharing laughter. Any gathering with her was sure to be filled with warmth, humor, and love.
She had a tender heart for animals and adored her late white standard poodle, Zhana, as well as her beloved black standard poodles, Luna and Elena, who brought her comfort and companionship in recent years.
Ashley is survived by her devoted husband of over 30 years, David Nestmann; her sons, August (Faye) of Charleston and Kai (David) of Winchester, Kentucky; her brother, Rob Johnson (Suzanna) of Mechanicsville, Virginia; her sister, Leigh Ann (Leigh) Williams (Gary) of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky; her in-laws, Carl and Sherry Nestmann; and a large extended family of uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
She was proceeded in death by her loving parents.
A celebration of Ashley’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 24, at First Presbyterian Church in St. Albans, West Virginia. (Wake to follow. Location to be determined)
Those who wish to honor Ashley’s memory may make donations in support of her family, contact Carl David Nestmann.
