Customers and critters

Mo Asbury retires after three decades at Farmers Insurance

Crystal R. Albers
Posted 2/28/18

For the last 33 years, Maureen “Mo” Asbury has been the face of Farmers Insurance in Torrington.

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Customers and critters

Mo Asbury retires after three decades at Farmers Insurance

Posted

TORRINGTON – For the last 33 years, Maureen “Mo” Asbury has been the face of Farmers Insurance in Torrington. Monday, a large group of clients, employees, and friends gathered at Asbury’s office to wish her well in her retirement – effective March 1.
“You have honored me with your confidence, blessed me with your business, and enriched my life with the privilege of serving your insurance needs,” Asbury wrote in a letter to customers. “For this I will be forever grateful. I will miss you all. God bless you and your family.”
Bob, Asbury’s husband, acted as the main agent at Farmers Insurance for many years, with Asbury as his assistant and partner. When Bob passed away in 2008, Asbury took over the role as business owner/operator and agent, working to get her insurance licenses and take care of businesses with mostly part-
time help.
Insurance producer Ginger Barthel began working with Asbury in 2012, while customer service representative Kelly Perez joined the team in 2014.

“Mo was the only person I knew when I moved here in August of 2014,” Perez said. “I was looking for a job, and I stopped in (Farmers Insurance) on a Saturday. Mo was here, I met her, and we talked for a couple hours. Our relationship is a lot different than most bosses and employees – she’s been a really good friend. Mo has a huge heart.”
“She loves her customers like they’re family,” Barthel agreed.
Asbury also loves animals. She once rounded up several feral cats in the office neighborhood and ensured they were all spayed and neutered. Two (formerly feral) cats currently live outside the office.
As a further testament to her giving nature, Asbury often sponsored newspaper ads for Waggin’ Tails Animal Shelter and made frequent donations to the animals there.
Now, following more than three decades of hard work, much deliberation and reflection, Asbury has set her sights on retirement.
After so many years of devoting herself to her customers, Barthel and Perez said retirement is bittersweet for Asbury.
“She knows it’s the right time, but it weighed heavy on her heart to do this,” Barthel said. “She struggled with this decision – Mo is just an amazing person,” Perez added.
The women said although Asbury will miss her customers, she is looking forward to spending more time at home with her beloved pets.
“She’s not leaving town,” Barthel said. “So if you see her out and about, be sure to say ‘Hi.’”