Loyal, loving, energetic, giving, beautiful, fierce, courageous, strong
Ashley had a playful spirit. As a child, she often borrowed — or “stole” —her brother, Justin’s belongings for school photos, once getting caught by appearing in a picture wearing his missing bracelet, watch, and cross necklace all at once.
There are fond memories of holidays with Ashley, Justin, and their mom, Cynthia, making homemade noodles together. Ashley, her mom, aunt, and later, her niece, did all the cooking. “But the real joy was watching them laugh together, smile, and talk about memories, while making new ones,” Justin shared.
Ashley loved being in crowds, dancing for hours, and losing herself in music. She enjoyed cooking and later, gardening. For birthdays and holidays, she went all out with tons of food, decorations, photos, and laughs together.
Ashley had a natural ability to connect with others and a passion to make people feel special. A protector of vulnerable people and animals, her brother Justin said: “She didn’t look down at people, she looked in.” She made everyone feel valued and seen.
Ashley loved being a server and hostess, striving to give everyone a good dining experience. She was looking into college hospitality programs. She and her mother shared a vision of opening a restaurant together, called Rose Marie’s with plans that grew to include a bed and breakfast and, eventually, a place by the water where Ashley felt happiest.
Ashley was a devoted mother to her daughter, Jasmine Rose, “Jazzy.” She loved spending time with Jasmine doing everyday things — getting their nails done, shopping, watching movies, and singing together. She often said that Jasmine was her greatest accomplishment, and she knew she would go on to do great things. She was right, Jasmine, now 20, is at the University of Chicago studying medicine with the goal of becoming a pediatrician. Ashley was also deeply connected to Justin, her sister-in-law Deidre, her niece Avery, and her best friend Cassidy, with whom she shared many experiences, including early motherhood.
Ashley lived with substance use disorder for approximately ten years. Over time, the disease changed her life, taking away her rational thinking skills and autonomy. There were periods when her kindness and warmth still shone through, and others when the illness overtook her ability to be present and she could be mean, selfish, and hopeless. Justin said: “One of the worst parts was seeing my mother suffer, dying slowly from cancer while Ashley was in the worst shape of her life.” Ashley died in September 2017; her mother passed in February 2019.
Ashley’s life continues to be reflected in those she loved. Justin, honors her through his own recovery and his work supporting others, carrying out a promise he made during Ashley’s final days, after an overdose. “It was the first time in my life I used something so traumatic as a reason to be strong and resilient instead of an excuse to get high and runaway,” he said. He has kept his promise to stay sober and build a life of hope, happiness and healing and to make their mother proud.
Justin is now the first felon and person in “loud recovery” to be hired by the Brattleboro Police Department as a Community Resource Specialist working with police officers and police personnel to support recovery in the community. The promise he made at his sister’s bedside remains with him, shaping a life that honors both Ashley and their mother.
Ashley’s brother, Justin Johnston, provided the information for this narrative.
November 7, 1987-September 12, 2017-Age 28
Portrait Artist: Clayton Conner
Narrative Writer: Barbara Francois
