Have you ever met someone who is sunshine in human form?

I have and her name is Ashlee Jones.

This is a tribute to a dear friend to the Haydon family. A beautiful spirit who left too soon but had a lasting impact on our lives. I was honoured to speak about Ashlee's kindness and generosity yesterday on the hardest of days - the day we said goodbye. Here is the tribute.

Have you ever met someone who is sunshine in human form?

I have and her name is Ashlee Jones.

I am honoured to be able to speak to you today about the kind, generous and thoughtful spirit that beamed from beautiful Ashlee. I met Ashlee many years ago through my twin sister in laws Shari Calquhoun and Jodi Cupolo. Shari is the sister in law to one of Ashlee and Leslee’s closest friends - Jen Demers. And even though not related, Ashlee became a wonderful Auntie to Shari and Jodi’s children and a huge support system for the Haydon family.

My story begins with a pink sweater. The pink sweater that I am wearing. This pink sweater was Ashlee’s. As you know, Ashlee loved clothes and could easily pull off Instagram-worthy outfits any day of the week. I loved watching her Instagram feed for her bright yellows, quirky statement t-shirts and rock and roll accessories – not to mention her fun and funny captions. One day near Christmastime, she posted a picture on Instagram and she was wearing this pink sweater and I just happened to comment and say I loved that sweater and I wanted one, but they didn’t have my size. The very next day, a gift bag arrived at my door with a beautiful note and the pink sweater inside. I kept the note on my dressing table and I look at it often. It says:

The story continues with the Giving Keys. Ashlee was ardent supporter of pay it forward companies. She often bought and gifted products that supported great causes. Companies like Brass and Unity, who sell bracelets to enrich the lives of veterans, especially those suffering from PTSD. She recently gifted her niece Abbey with two Cuddle and Kind dolls. For every one if the dolls purchased, they donate 10 meals to 10 children who are less fortunate. Her note to Abbey contained such special words that will resonate throughout her life. The note said:

Ashlee introduced us to the Giving Keys. This is the key chain necklace that I am wearing today that she gave to me - just like the one she often wore. The Giving Keys mission is three-fold…to embrace the word printed on your key, to pass the key along when someone needs it more than you and through the purchase, you are supporting individuals transitioning out of homelessness. I have gifted many Giving Keys since she gave me this one as I cherish it, the thoughtfulness, the meaning and the impact. Ashlee even had a custom key necklace made for Abbey after her cherished grandmother passed away that says My Grandma – My Angel. I will wear my Giving Key and think of Ashlee and try hard to emulate her thoughtfulness and inspiring spirit.

The story ends with a Christmas Story. Ashlee knew that our family adores the Christmas Story movie about a young boy who wants a Red Rider beebee gun for Christmas. Ashlee also recognized how difficult this Christmas was for our family as we lost our cherished mother last year. So this amazing woman put together a gift basket full of Christmas Story movie stuff for Jodi and Shari and enclosed a hand-written note that read:

As I read through the hundreds of Facebook comments, I understood that her warmth, kindness and thoughtfulness was felt across all who knew her. She absolutely radiated. I wanted to share some of the messages :

She was one of the kindest people we had ever met

She was truly a beautiful person inside and out

She was the kindest, sweetest soul

Ashlee was a ray of sunshine

She had such a kind heart

Ashlee made my heart smile every time I saw her

Ashlee was a such a light in everyone’s day

Ashlee was a wonderful and kind spirit

Ashlee was a little ball of happiness

Ashlee would brighten up a room when she walked in

In closing, Ashlee has inspired me to be a better person and to give back as much as often as I can. After on of the last times that I saw her, when she bought drinks for all our families’ dads on Father’s Day at the Fort Erie Race Track, I turned to my husband and said, “when I grow up, I want to be like Ashlee.”