Danielle Guichard-Ashbrook, wife of WBUR host Tom Ashbrook, died in their Newton home today after a long battle with cancer.
The Ashbrooks have been longtime Newton residents. They’ve done lots for the community over the years, particularly the Friends of the Library.
Ashbrook was a foreign editor and reporter for the Boston Globe. Since 2001 he has been the host of radio WBUR’s “On Point” program. I’ve never met the man, but after all these years of listening to him on the radio, it feels like I just heard terrible news about an an old friend. Our thoughts are with the Ashbrook family.
Thats unfortunate, RIP. I’m a big fan of on-point.
Isnt that Ashbrook?
!Mike (not Striar) – yes, thanks
I’ve met Tom Ashbrook and have been a big fan of On Point. I was moved to tears reading his announcement two days ago that he was taking time off to be with her and his family. It sounds like they had something very special together, and my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family as they make their way through “one of life’s tough passages.”
Tom Ashbrook is one of the best if not the best talk show host on radio or television today. He’s not afraid to take on any issue and he lets both sides present their case fully, but he doesn’t let anyone roll him. I feel for him in this very difficult time.
This has been a hard week for the extended WBUR family (of which I am a member, though I predate Tom and don’t know him personally). My heart goes out to the family, and am glad he was in a position to take time off to be with them.
In a world of biased reporting, I have found that Tom has always been very balanced. I’ve never met him either, but consider him a thinker who provokes thought not rigid ideologies. I’m glad he was able to focus on his wife and family and wish him and his family the comfort of many good memories of her.
Thank you for your kindly meant comments. I too grieve for the Ashbrook family.
It would be more appropriate, however, for you to include some details of Ms. Danielle-Ashbrook’s own life. Her long career, pursued while mothering three children, culminated in her service as an award-winning associate dean at MIT, responsible for thousands of international students.
Anne: Appreciate the response. What you’ve just done is what we always encourage everyone one to do on this blog, which is to add information that may not have been offered originally.
My heart goes out to the Ashbrook family: Tom, Dylan, Ben, and Lauren. Danielle was a talented administrator, beloved wife, and a wonderful mother with great children! God bless you all.