Wednesday, March 10, 2010

What I Want Said In My Obituary (many happy years from now.)

On October 15, 2067 Ashley Dyan Yazzie expired of natural causes. The Yazzies had been summering in their beloved cottage in the south of France, their favorite pocket in all the world. Ashley was born in Orange, California but spent her girlhood in the salty deserts of Arizona with her mother Patsy and sister Chanelle. Ashley completed her secondary education at Stephens College of Columbia, Missouri, becoming the first college graduate in her family line. She frequently shared with her children and grandchildren, "My time in Columbia was some of the happiest days of my life." Ashley graduated with honors with a B.F.A. in Theater. She devoted her life to theater, film, television, music, writing and creating. Ashley was never content unless she was working towards these endeavors.

December 18, 2003 Ashley wed Bryan Ray Yazzie for time and all eternity in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. There will never be a couple that can match their vivacity, laughter, love and voracity for life and one another. Bryan and Ashley loved to travel, and filled their passports frequently. They lived in Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Seattle, Montreal and France. Ashley was the mother of three children; Bram, Ambra, and Lisbette. Bram said of his mother, "Mom was always happy. She forever had a smile on her face, and delectable treats baking in the oven. My mother wanted each of her children to be wise, lift our hands for good, and to only pursue that which makes us wildly happy. She claimed those ideals were the secret ingredients to her blissful marriage, family and career." When Ashley accepted her Oscar for best supporting actress she declared, "Being a wife and mother have been the richest roles of my existence."

Ashley will be dearly missed. She is survived by her husband Bryan Yazzie, her children Bram, Ambra, Lisbette, sister Chanelle Pattinson, and her 55-year-old dog Soba.