Elinor Ascher

The Elinor Ascher Interior Design Scholarship

This scholarship was established in memory of Elinor Ascher by her beloved husband, Bernard, and the Ascher family.

Elinor Ascher loved interior design. She served as Home Fashion Coordinator on the interior design staff at Woodward & Lothrop’s store in Wheaton and started her own small business after “Woodies” closed in 1995. She was an allied member of the American Society of Interior Design and she was an active volunteer for many organizations, including providing career counseling in design for Montgomery College high schools.

Elinor’s over 30 years of experience helped her to adapt her designs to meet the life styles of her clients. In fact, many of her clients became close friends. She had a phenomenal eye for colors and fabrics and she was a fountain of knowledge on window treatments, lighting, product sources and all aspects of interior design. Helping seniors to downsize their surroundings became one of her business specialties.

Elinor was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1935 and earned a degree in marketing at Brooklyn College in June of 1956. After graduation, she married her college sweetheart and moved to the Washington, DC area in 1962. She and Bernard eventually settled in Montgomery County where they raised three children, all of whom are now married with children of their own and still living in Montgomery County. Elinor attended art classes at Montgomery College and developed a fondness for the College.

Sadly, Elinor passed away on May 31, 2015. She would be gratified to know that her family has honored her memory by establishing a scholarship fund for worthy interior design students at Montgomery College.