Justine Laura Ayrton—loving wife, mother, and grandmother, warm spirit and generous soul—passed away peacefully with her family by her side on May 11, 2024. She was 83.

Born in Norwich on June 4, 1940, Justine was one of the beloved daughters of the late Rutherford Edison Fowler and Justine Park Elliott Fowler. Her family resided in Groton during her early years, and she would later move to Bozrah with her husband, Halstead Ayrton. She worked at several local businesses and recently served as a deli associate at Stop & Shop.

Above all else, Justine was a true family woman. She devoted her life to raising her children and being a devoted mother to her growing family. Nothing brought more joy to her day than being able to share in all the news of her family’s achievements and successes, and she was so proud of everyone.

Known for her “tell it like it is” wisdom, Justine pulled no punches and was always a straight shooter. This quality endeared her to so many wonderful friends over the years, and all who know her will remember her terrific sense of humor and ability to put smiles on everyone’s faces. She was an enthusiastic “foodie” who loved to share a good meal with family. Going to breakfast with her group of dear friends brought her so much happiness, and she loved spending a few hours at Foxwoods trying her luck at Bingo. No matter what she was doing, Justine was happy if she was doing it with family and friends.

During good times and bad, Justine was always there by your side. She will always be remembered as a faithful and loyal mother to her beautiful, growing family, and she will be missed dearly for eternity.

Justine is survived by her four daughters, Justine Miner and her husband, Mitch, Audrey Reyes and her husband, Elpidio (“Ray”), JoAnne Giffin and her husband, Douglas, and Alice Zahedi and her husband, Ahmad; her brothers, Rudy Fowler and Henry Fowler; her sisters, Eleanor Michaud, Hope Burns, June Cassidy, Gloria Lewis, Lulu Fowler, and Valerie Allen; her beautiful grandchildren, Daryl Davis and his wife, Sarah, Nolan Remillard and his girlfriend, Heather, Ronaldo Nieves, Elpidio Reyes, Sharie Albers and her husband, Reed, Christopher Chapman, Nicole Rini and her husband, Joseph, Amanda Schneider and her husband, Greg, Ahmad Zahedi, Jr. and his wife, Shannon, and Marium Sobczak; her cherished great-grandchildren, Brianna, Tyna, Zachary and his wife, Kelly, Landon, Wyatt, Kinleigh, Bellatrix, Joseph, Christian, Savannah, Lincoln, Alina, and Richie; her great-great granddaughter, Averly; and her dear stepchildren and their families, step-daughter Linda LaPorte and her two daughters, Michele Siragusa and her husband, Paul, and their son, Joey, and Lisa King, and step-son Halstead Ayrton, Jr., and his wife, Edeltraud, and their children, Angelina Bailey and her husband, Andrew, and their children, William and Astrid, Christina Burnett and her husband, DJ, and their child, Addison, and Joshua Ayrton.

In addition to her parents and her loving husband, Halstead Ayrton, Justine was predeceased by her son, Aubrey Chapman, Jr.; her sisters, Bernice Snow, Arlene Sears, and Marion Roler; her grandchildren, Donna Nieves and Kayla Miner; and her stepdaughter Linda’s husband, Dick LaPorte.  

Justine’s family will receive friends from 11AM – 12PM on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Road, Colchester. A Celebration of Life service will take place at 12PM following the visitation period. In lieu of flowers, donations in Justine’s memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.