Ashleigh Nicole Graham

It is with deep sorrow that our family announces the passing of our beloved daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and dear friend to many, Ashleigh Nicole Graham, on January 30 th , 2014 as a result of an auto accident on the Mt Baker Highway near Maple Falls, Washington. Ashleigh was born July 28 th 1986 in Edmonds, Washington to Stephanie and Harley Graham. She was welcomed home by big brother Marcus who, at first, wasnt really too thrilled about there being a little sister in the house. It didnt take long for him to realize having a cute little sister wasnt so bad after all..at least now he had someone to boss around. She grew up in Edmonds attending Seaview Elementary, Meadowdale Middle School and Meadowdale High School, Class of 2004. Ashleigh enjoyed playing REC league sports from the age of 5 and could be found kicking a soccer ball or bouncing a basketball as young as 3. Sports were a constant in her early years - she enjoyed soccer, baseball and volleyball, but her favorite was basketball. She played on both REC and AAU teams throughout her elementary and middle school years, sometimes playing two sports at a time. She was basketball JV Co-Captain for two years in high school and was a member of the 2004 Meadowdale High School State Basketball Championship Team. She wore #24 just as her father did when his senior year team won the State Basketball Championship in Clearfield, Utah in 1967. In September of 2013 the 2003-2004 Meadowdale State Champion Basketball Team was inducted into the Snohomish County Sports Hall of Fame. She also played basketball while attending Everett CC until a second knee injury sidelined her for good. After living in Everett, Lake Goodwin and Marysville, Ashleigh moved with her loyal four legged companion, Rika, to the Maple falls area several years ago and became a well known, spirited and abundantly loved member of the close knit community of Kendall/Maple Falls and the Mt Baker ski area. This was the third season of her employment on The Mountain as operator of Chair 7. Co-workers and friends held a candlelight vigil in her memory Friday following her passing where there were over 100 in attendance. The last three years she worked the summer season at Avalon Golf Club in Burlington where she became a member of their family. Ashleigh collected John Deere memorabilia, cowboy hats and boots, western/cowboy belt buckles and drove a 4 wheel drive pickup with camo seat covers. She was a country girl at heart, living life to the fullest, on her own terms, rarely within the boundaries of societys expectations and always with a beautiful smile under the brim of her cowboy hat with her boots kicking to country music. She loved the clean air of the mountain foothills and with Rika in tow made her everlasting mark on the small community she called home. Ashleigh is survived by her mother, Stephanie Graham of Edmonds, her brother Marcus Evans and niece Elliott W.L. Evans of Bothell and her Grandmother, Norma Miller of Seattle. Other family includes her Aunt Debbie (Chuck) Flood, Uncle Steve (Shelley) Miller family, Aunt Angela (Mardi) Cino, Aunt Laura Mitchell, along with cousins Kaitlyn (Reb) Bangert, April Kirkwood, Riley and Andrew Mitchell. Also survived by Graham family members in Seattle, WA, Layton, UT and Yuba City, CA are her Aunt Roberta (Jim) Dixon, Aunt Jeanie Brown, Aunt Mary (Dan) Shields and cousins Rod (Vanessa) Dixon, Denise (John) Lake, Tiana Farrar, Jodee Farrar, Matthew Graham, Jordan Brown, Deidre (Erik) Jones, Kenneth Shields and Kevin (Angie) Shields. Preceding her in death was her father, Harley K. Graham in 2005, her Grandfather Bob Miller in 1995, her Grandmother Mary Graham in 2003 and her Uncle Phil Graham in 2007. A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday February 22, 2014 at 1:00pm at The Plaza Room atop the Edmonds Library next to the Frances Anderson Center at 650 Main St Edmonds, WA 98020. Parking is available in the library parking lot under the building or to the west of the library entrance and on Main Street. The Whatcom Humane Society cared for Rika until she could be picked up. Memorial contributions can be made to the Whatcom Humane Society by mail to 2172 Division St Bellingham, WA 98225 or thru their website at href=http://www.whatcomhumane.org/ www.whatcomhumane.org or your favorite PAWS shelter. Her spirit will live on with her family and friends and all of those who knew her and were graced with her friendship and love. Announcement: Memorial contributions can be made to the Whatcom Humane Society by mail to 2172 Division St Bellingham, WA 98225 or thru their website at href=http://www.whatcomhumane.org/ www.whatcomhumane.org or your favorite PAWS shelter.