After Ashley's passing at the beginning of her senior year at Mount Carmel high school, numerous comments have been written about her expressing her holiness living the virtues of faith, hope, charity, prudence, temperance and justice. The source of these comments are from clergy, religious, teachers, coaches, physicians/health care workers, classmates, family members and friends.
Fr. Billy O'Riordan, pastor of St. Ann church wrote: In the song Go Light Your World we can read
There is a candle in every soul...
Carry your candle, run in the darkness ...
Take your candle and go light the world ...
These words remind me of our beginning in faith and our being claimed for Christ by the sign of HIS cross in Baptism. This all began with Jesus' instruction to the apostles: "Full authority has been given to me both in heaven and earth; go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations. Baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." [Matthew 28:18-19] In baptism, we receive the Light of Christ to walk always as children of the light so as to go out and meet the Lord with all the saints when He comes again in glory.
Ashley knew, by her way of life, that Jesus was with her always, and therefore taught others by her way of life - actions speak louder than words! She was truly a light of faith to others. She was not some holy roller or filled with piousness. No! It was just her way of life and her startling smile when she entered a room or place. Of course, it wasn't that difficult to spot her because she was almost six feet tall. Ultimately, Ashley put flesh on the words of Fr. Richard Rohr OFM: "Life is all about practicing for heaven."
Ashley served as an Altar Server until about six months before her death, but the thing that got my attention was her insistence and resolve to carry the cross in procession at Mass. She truly lifted high the cross with the crucified image of Jesus Christ for all to see so that there was no doubt about Christ's love proclaimed for all the world. She bore the cross of her illness in a way that reflected her walking in the footprints of Jesus Christ. She found herself in God. I share this quote from her: "I have become myself through having God in my life."
In the year previous to her death, I was shown a book/folder that was put together by Ashley as part of a school project in her sophomore year at Mount Carmel Academy High School. It was filled with clippings and pictures about her dreams and goals in life. The project started with #10 dream/goal and ended with #1 dream/goal. Her #1 goal was to find a cure for cancer these goals were written prior to any diagnosis of her own brain cancer. Most people think of cures for cancer in relation to great doctors and the medical field. I believe Ashley Code will find a cure for cancer for many people through her delight in the ways of God and her prayerful intercession - a holy life has a voice!
Sister Elizabeth Beussink stated: In the spring of 2019 I met Kate Liljeberg. I was a part of the pastoral ministry team at Franciscan University of Steubenville's study abroad program in Gaming, Austria. At the beginning of each semester we, as the pastoral team, offer a time of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and we make ourselves available if the students want to talk or if they would like us to pray with them. Kate was one of the students who sat down with me to talk. I remember her expressing the challenging place she was at in her relationship with the Lord and her continued struggle with the death of her friend Ashley Code. After Kate shared and we talked, I prayed with her. While I prayed I had a sense of Ashley's presence near us and with Kate. I had a sense that Ashley wanted to aid in Kate's journey back to the Lord and help Kate to see the Lord as the loving and merciful God He is. I voiced this to Kate, offering the suggestion to her that she ask for Ashley's intercession. It was my understanding that Kate did so. As I journeyed with Kate throughout the rest of the semester I saw her understanding of who God is change from being a tyrant to being a loving God and Father. I saw her relationship with Him deepen, become more authentic and alive. I can't help but believe that Ashley's intercession played a significant part in that change.
Teacher Michelle Vanek from the second grade at St. Ann school wrote: "Ashley was one of my second grade student in 2-B.... Ashley's spirituality, even at that tender age, was all so evident. She was always kind, patient, and respectful with everyone she met. She was quick to help anyone in need, and she had a smile that was truly contagious. When I think of Ashley, I picture a precious little blond-haired girl with a smile big enough to light up a room. Little did I know at that time what a truly amazing spirit Ashley possessed, and that God had a very special plan for her. Years later when Ashley became ill, that beautiful, awe-inspiring spirit brought teachers, priests, students, friends and family together in a way that I had never before witnessed. My sweet little second-grader had given her precious life to God, and changed us all in the process."
Teacher from Mt. Carmel high school Mrs. Gerrets stated," Ashley was never first in her own life, and that small fact always humbled me; no matter the circumstances, she had a way of making others feel important, love, special.... This amazing young woman, fighting for her own life, literally, wanted to bake for my children. Just thinking about it brings a tear to my eye." (See Echoes of Carmel 10/7/16).
Teacher from Mt. Carmel high school Mrs. Kurica wrote: "On the day that Ashley Code passed, Mrs. Mickal brought me a single pink rose from the Grotto. A few weeks after receiving the rose, I noticed that the rose had not turned brown but instead had turned a deep butterfly purple. Proof that Ashley is with us!" (See Echoes of Carmel 10/7/16).
Coach Sal Soldano from St. Ann school wrote: "In my 37 years of coaching, I can say that being a part of Ashley's life is the thing I will cherish the most. She will own my heart forever."
Dr. Michael Puente said," As Ashley's treating physician, I was privileged to witness her faith in Jesus grow only deeper when confronted with the diagnosis of an incurable brain tumor. Never did I see her afraid to face the new day. Never did her kindness towards others or her confidence in God's ultimate plan falter. Never did she feel sorry for herself, amazing in someone of any age! It is human nature to raise the question, "why me"? But Ashley was unlike any other patient I have treated over my many years of practice. She touched the hearts of most of the hospital personnel who had the opportunity to participate in her care and know of many whose own faith strengthened by what they witnessed for themselves when around Ashley. I know that Ashley always felt comforted by the love of our Lord and her love for Him. She often reminded others that Jesus had offered the ultimate sacrifice and considered her suffering to be minor by comparison. I truly believe that she did not fear death, knowing what awaited her in heaven."
Nurse Melissa David cared for Ashley on the night that she passed from this life which was the only time that she saw Ashely. Melissa said, "During that night I was alone with Ashley and experienced great peace as I prayed for her. As Ashley was passing, I gathered the Code family in the room. We all prayed the Rosary together. Remarkably, no one cried as the Code family all seemed to know that Ashley was on her way to heaven. There was total peace in the room. This experience of being with Ashley and the Code family changed my life forever as I came back to the church. I had fallen away for many years. Amazingly, I never spoke to Ashley, but in my brief time with her, she changed my life."
Kate Liljeberg said," One of my other favorite memories was the pumpkin carving night at Madeline's house. I remember we carved the three crosses into her pumpkin. Even during our Halloween party, she was thinking about Christ and helping us to grow in faith! I think about that night often in prayer. Her sense of faith and trust in the Lord and His plan still amazes and inspires me to grow deeper in my faith."
Caroline Hartdegen wrote: "When I sat down to write this, I immediately thought about the beautiful purple rosaries that you (her mother Cassi) bestowed upon our senior class in memory of Ashley. Although I know we will all cherish and hold dear Ashley's purple rosaries throughout our lives, the ultimate treasure that you bestowed upon us was Ashley, herself. Never have so many benefited and gained so much by just knowing and experiencing an individual. Ashley always made one of her butterfly sisters feel special in her own way. When Ashley spoke to you, you felt as if you were the most important person in the world. Your thank you note to the senior class was absolutely beautiful, but you should know that Ashley's friends and classmates are the ones who are grateful. We were graced with Ashley's tender heart and genuinely kind personality. She is truly an inspiration to all of her butterfly sisters. We were blessed and fortunate to have known her magnificence. We will keep her spirit alive with the many sacred and cherished memories that we hold in our hearts. Ashley will never be forgotten! Ashley will live in our hearts always!"
Michelle Poche' wrote: "I first met Ashley in 2012 when I started dating her cousin David. She immediately made me feel welcome and we became good friends despite our age difference of roughly six years. She was sweet, innocent, kind and just as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. In 2015, David and I were engaged. I asked Ashley to be in my wedding as a bridesmaid. I still remember her screaming as she excitedly told me "Yes."
Little did any of us know that 2015 would change our lives forever. Shortly after my wedding, Ashley was diagnosed with brain cancer. She never questioned why she had to carry such a heavy cross. Instead, she carried her cross high and proud, with faith in God, thereby being an example of what being a good Catholic means. Ashley was able to change the lives of so many people in her short life and brought people to the Catholic Church and their faith. Many gathered around the world to pray for her health and recovery, and in doing so, found their way back to the Catholic Church. Others, who were already practicing Catholics, gathered together and prayed the Rosary and started to attend church more often in an effort to grow closer to God. Even people who previously claimed themselves as nonbelievers or had different religious beliefs gathered together in prayer. Countless people admired Ashley for her braveness, her grace, and most importantly her amazing strong faith. She was able to do in her short life what many are not able to achieve in a lifetime. Even as sick as she was, she would ask why so many people were praying for her when they should be praying for others who were sick. That was just a small sample of how selfless she was.
I always thought it was amazing how she considered her mother on earth the second best mother in the world, because the Virgin Mary came first. The fact that she would think and say that, especially at such a young age was incredible. Ashley was sweet, kind, pure, innocent, selfless, joyful and honest. She had such a beautiful smile and spirit that would light up a room and made one feel at ease. She brought comfort to so many lives and homes. I truly believe she was an Angel of God that we got to meet here on earth. It was an honor to be a witness of her unwavering faith, to see her carry her heavy cross high and proud instead of seeing it as a burden, to be a witness of her kindness, her selflessness and her love not just towards God, Jesus and the Virgin Mary but also to others. She truly lived life asking herself, "What would Jesus Do?"
David Poche, her cousin, wrote," Growing up Ashley was the type of person who always went out of her way to help others and make sure no one felt left out. She was always honest, kind, loving and selfless. She truly loved God and loved helping others. She always had the biggest smile on her face, and when anyone would see it they couldn't help but smile back. Her happiness was contagious. Ashley was truly one of a kind.
In the summer of 2015, when Ashley was 16 years old, she was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. Not long after that things suddenly took a turn for the worse. I remember it was a Monday was at work and got the call from my family to come say goodbye because they didn't think she was going to make it. It was going to take nothing short of a miracle for her to recover. I remember driving from work to the hospital thinking why Ashley of all people. Out of everyone I know, why her? It doesn't make sense. Why is someone so good, so innocent, being taken from this earth at such a young age? Well thankfully she started showing signs of improvement later that week. I remember some of my aunt and uncle's friends organized a prayer vigil that week at St. Ann church. The amount of people that came was shocking. The church was almost as packed as it is on Christmas. It was truly amazing how many people showed up to pray for Ashley.
She went on to live almost an entire year after that. I know my whole extended family is grateful for that year. We got to make so many memories with Ashley, and really got to see her impact on so many peoples' lives. The way she handled this sickness was incredibly inspiring. She just accepted her illness as a cross she had to bear. She always remained positive and continued to live her life to the fullest through her smile, personality and unwavering faith. This truly inspired others to improve and strengthen their own faith. So many of Ashley's friends and family organized more prayer services, vigils, and rosaries throughout that year, and her story reached so many people. Her story was so widespread, two of my co-workers in Mississippi heard her story (one through Facebook and one through one of their friends). They started following her story and praying for her regularly. By the end there were people I know of in California, Texas, Mississippi and Honduras following her story and praying for her.
She also had a tremendous impact on my own life and faith. Before she got sick, I probably went to church most Sundays, but unfortunately never really prayed for much unless I needed something. Well I have to say, once Ashley got sick, praying became a regular occurrence for me. I think I said the rosary more times that year than I have my entire life. I don't think Ashley knew it, but she went even one step further for me to help me strengthen my faith. The year she got sick was the same year she was supposed to receive Confirmation. Well it came time to pick her sponsor and I was completely shocked at who she chose. She picked me. How could I be her sponsor? Her faith was a million times stronger than mine and she was a way better person than me all around. How could I be an example of faith to her? I was more honored to do it, but with that it inspired me to do everything I could to just be a better person all around to set the best example I could for her. Now she has gone almost five years and I still pray every day and strive to be the best person I can be. I still have a long way to go, but if it wasn't for her I would never be where I am with my faith today.
Johnny DiMaggio wrote," In the great love St. Therese' of Lisieux shared with so many in her life I find the very same gift in the life of Ashley Code. Ashley was a truly amazing individual. She generously shared a love and a consideration for others even in her own suffering. By the selfless pouring out of kindness, love and heartfelt consideration toward others, Ashley touched and continues to touch lives in a deep and profound way. Who she was and how she lived her life encouraged us, comforted us, strengthened us and made us more aware of God's presence in our lives. Vividly, I recall the many times when someone would come up to Ashley to ask how she was feeling. The words were barely out of their mouths or couldn't even be spoken when Ashley would look at them and with the most saintly smile ask, 'well how are you doing.' She would genuinely and sincerely look into their eyes, focused entirely on them and ask that question.
Throughout the time in which countless people either gathered to pray or prayed individually, far and wide, for Ashley, lives were changed, blessed, even rescued by Ashley. How can I explain that? What is so evident to me? There were numerous times when people reported to me the changes and blessings which occurred in their lives as they prayed for Ashley. Individuals who had not picked up their rosaries in 30 years were now praying the rosary regularly. People who had been away from the church and the sacraments were now attending Mass again. Young people who came together to pray for Ashley were experiencing a deepening of faith."
Missy Gremillion wrote," If I had to choose the one thing that stands out about all these moments I shared with Ashley it would be her sweet, sweet infectious smile! Ashley's smile had a way of lighting up a room and making you feel loved. It was as if I could see her love for life, the joy, and her strong faith all in her smile. I feel so blessed to have had Ashley in my life even though that time with her was cut short. I am a better person, and we are a better family because of her. I strive every day to live like Ashley did."
Armando Fuentes stated, "Her impact on me was immense, but by looking around the community, one can truly see what Ashley has done for people. She is a symbol of hope and charity. She brought an entire parish together to follow her example of loving others, especially Jesus.... She is an instrument of peace that I have had the privilege of knowing. I hope that, with her example, I can keep her memory alive by giving back to the community."
Karen Puente wrote, "Ashley and Madeline had been walking the "Nine church walk" for years, visiting and praying in the various churches throughout New Orleans. Ashley's spirituality shown through on those Good Fridays. I am so thankful that Madeline and I shared those days with her. It brought others closer to Jesus as we witnessed her strong faith along the way. I will forever think of Ashley, especially, though, on Good Fridays, she was a teacher in the faith that day, in particular."
Francesca DeVille wrote," Ashley truly was one of the sweetest people I know and was always a true friend. Her smile always lit up a room, and she radiated such a positive spirit! I think of Ashley almost every day when I see one of the numerous "Ashley's Army" stickers on a car. It shows how many people loved Ashley and how many lives she touched. I miss Ashley every day, but I am truly grateful and blessed to have so many amazing memories to look back on that we shared."
Lew Derbes stated: "My memory of Ashley is the Easter Vigil mass as altar server captain. I am still trying to figure out how Ashley convinced Molly, Garrett and Elliott to voluntarily sign up for the longest mass of the year as altar servers. My kids always looked up to Ashley and knew that the holiday mass was the only time they could be on her team. She was such a great example to them. She always had a smile on her face and it was never more evident than at the Easter Vigil-whether it was smiling at Jonathan choking on the incense or having the entire altar server team belting out 'Horses and Chariots' the smile never left her face She was so determined but at the same time so happy. I will never again be able to attend Easter Vigil without thinking about Ashley-she truly was, One in a million! "
