Ashley Kay Anselm, 36 of Taylorville, died in her residence on July 7, 2018 at 7:01a.m. surrounded by family, both in person and in spirit. She was born on July 14, 1981 in Decatur, the daughter of Aaron and Angela (Engeling) Anselm. Even in birth, Ashley decided to do her own thing, presenting herself as breach. She attended St. Mary’s pre-school and grade school and graduated from Taylorville Senior High School with the class of 2000.
Despite her autism, and “supposed” lack of social skills, Ashley touched many lives in her short lifespan. She loved the years she spent babysitting Tucker Long in the backroom of Little Luxuries and hours spent visiting with clients at her sister’s salon, Hello Beautiful. Never having obtained a driver’s license, she loved to walk to Dana’s Book Store, Family Video, and Cottage Rose. She spent many Saturdays picking up lunch for the “Jensen Furniture Store Ladies”.
In 2013 Ashley was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, which she and her family referred to as “Fred”. Despite Fred’s unwanted appearance in her life, she remained her positive, smiling, upbeat self up to the very end. Not once during her fight with cancer did she ever complain. She was an inspiration to all those she touched.
Ashley will be forever celebrated by her parents: Aaron and Angela Anselm of Taylorville; brothers: Andrew (Julie) Anselm of Sugar Grove and Alex (Meghan) Anselm of Glenarm; sister: Aimee “Sweetie” Anselm of Taylorville; grandparents: Charles and Janet Engeling of Morrisonville and George and Donna Anselm of Taylorville; nieces: Peyton and McKenna; nephews: Dallas, Charlie, and Baby Anselm, who’s pending arrival any day; and a close extended family of uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends.
A funeral mass for Ashley will take place at 11:00a.m. on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Taylorville with Monsignor David Lantz officiating. Burial will take place at Old Stonington Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 until 7p.m. on Friday at McClure Funeral Home and from 10 until 11a.m. Saturday at the church. A celebration was being planned for her 37th birthday on July 14, and her family requests that her service be a celebration of her life. Instead of normal funeral attire, please wear something representing the things she loved: #fightingwithAshley t-shirts, her beloved Chicago Cubs, crosses, books, NCIS, Gilmore Girls, and Vera Bradley. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made through McClure Funeral Home to help with medical expenses of two other families whose children are fighting serious illness: Drake Lucas and Christian Evans.
Fly High Angel!
McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements.
Memories of Ashley, or condolences to her family, may be left online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com
