Ashley THOMPSON

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THOMPSON: Ashley Patricia Thompson died accidentally on October 9, 2011 after a short life of 20 years. She was born in Brandon, Manitoba on October 12, 1990 and spent her life living with her family at their farm North of Brandon. Ashley was always very involved with her family in all their activities. She went with her family on all their trips to Newfoundland to visit her mother’s family and on other trips such as to Vancouver for a wedding, visiting more family in Ontario and a road trip to Alaska. She has visited every province in Canada and approximately one half of the United States. At age 10, Ashley went on a trip to Florida with her family. She visited Walt Disney World, Busch Gardens and Kennedy Space Center. Ashley was thrilled with all the Disney characters she met and the rides she went on. While she was there, Ashley developed a love for roller coasters and went on some of the world class coasters in Florida. At a very early age, Ashley began swimming lessons and progressed up to achieving a Bronze Cross in swimming. Ashley began her schooling at Wee Wisdom Nursery School at age 4. Next year she began kindergarten at Forrest Elementary and stayed there until she graduated Grade 8. She progressed to high School at Elton Collegiate in Forrest and graduated Grade 12 in 2007 after only 3 years in high school. At this point in her life, Ashley did something most people only dream of – she went to Brazil as a foreign exchange student for a year. Ashley stayed with the family of Antonio and Raquel Roxo in the city of Brusque, Santa Catarina, Brazil and attended Grade 12 at Collegio Consul Carlos Renaux in Brusque. While there, she made many friends, learned Portuguese fluently and even got highest marks in her class in Portuguese. Ashley had to leave before her class graduated, but her class had such regard for her that they read her story at their graduation ceremony. At the end of her term, Ashley’s family joined her and she thoroughly enjoyed introducing them to her host family and friends, acting as translator, andintroducing them to Brazilian culture. Ashley took her family on a mini tour of Brazil and they visited places such as the cities of Curitiba, Petropolis, Rio de Janeiro and the fantastic waterfalls at Foz de Iguasu. Upon her return from Brazil, Ashley attended Brandon University, and was well on her way to achieving her goal of becoming a forensic psychologist. Ashley has worked several jobs in her life. She began by babysitting at age 12 and later became a clerk at the 99 Cent Store. She became a summer student at Brandon Research Centre, working with the barley department and became very good friends with her supervisor, Rudy, and the rest of her crew. Ashley enjoyed the types of work she did and made lasting friendships. Ashley always loved kids and seemed to be a magnet for any kids around. They always seemed to flock to her and play with her. Ashley always had a big heart for anyone in trouble and always was available for her friends and family to talk to. Ashley also had a big heart towards animals. In her life, her pets included dogs, cats, rabbits and birds. In later years, she rescued and adopted a ferret and her latest pet was an Algerian hedgehog named Remi. Ashley has belonged to several youth groups. She began by being a member of Forrest Baby Band, and when she began school she joined Girl Guides. Ashley also joined St John Ambulance and progressed through the youth levels of cadet and crusader and became qualified as an Advanced Medical First Responder in 2009. Early in 2009, Ashley began dating Chris Girard who became the love of her life. On October 8, 2011 Ashley and Chris were engaged to be married, one day before her passing. Ashley will be sadly missed by her parents, Frank and Jenny Thompson, her sister Leanne, her fiancé Chris Girard and his parents, Maurice and Betty Girard. Also left to mourn are her Aunts Evelyn from British Columbia, Ruby (Chris), Joyce (Bruce), Edwina (John) from Ontario, Marion (Bruce), Stella (Jerry), Minnie (Randy) and Uncles Roy (Linda), Larry (Muriel), Lloyd (Dulcie) and Richie from Newfoundland, Linda (Al) from Brandon and Helen (George) from Elgin; Host Parents, Antonio and Raquel Roxo, and their family Joaquim and Antonia from Brazil. Also Left to mourn are many cousins from all parts of Canada and friends from all over the world. Ashley was predeceased by her grandparents, Lorne and Bessie Thompson of Brandon, Wilfred and Beatrice Gosse of Trinity Bay, Newfoundland, and her Aunt Margaret (Syd) of Elphinstone. The Ceremony to Celebrate Ashley's Life was held at Central United Church, 327-8th Street on Friday, October 14, 2011 at 2:00 pm with The Rev. Barbara Jardine officiating. Chris Girard was urn bearer. Ashley was interred in the Brandon Cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined. The family would appreciate donations in memory of Ashley to the Westman Dreams for Kids Foundation, Unit 202, 37-11th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 4J2. Expressions of sympathy may be made atwww.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements were with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.“We will never stop missing you and will always love you with all our hearts.Your easygoing ways and beautiful smile will always be a part of us.”

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 15, 2011