DR. ASHLEE GRACE MCGUIRK
It is with profound sorrow that we announce the death of Ashlee Grace McGuirk of Hamilton, Ontario, on July 5, 2019, at the age of 31. Born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, on December 7, 1987, she was the beloved daughter of Ken and Cindy (Doiron) McGuirk, and sister to cherished brother, Connor (girlfriend, Amanda) from Kanata, Ontario.
In 2012, Ashlee Grace fulfilled her long-held dream of becoming a veterinarian and received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. Dr. Grace, as she was known to her patients, was a passionate, dedicated, and intelligent young woman who poured her heart and soul into all pets and families under her care. Calling Ashlee an animal lover is an understatement: she would stop every dog she met to shower them with affection, she was an avid horse enthusiast who loved riding and all things horse-related, and treasured the time spent with her three fur-babies, Scotia, Simone, and Sassenach. She often stated that her cats didn’t live with her, she lived with them.
Ashlee had an artistic flair, was an active member of Toastmasters International, delighted in running unabashedly in tutus, and would knit and spin any wool she could lay her hands on. Ashlee was always up for an adventure and investigating new culinary delights with friends and family. She loved to bake and often brought goodies to her friends and colleagues. She enjoyed game nights and delighted in discussing science fiction favourites like Doctor Who, Supernatural, and Firefly.
Above all else, Ashlee loved her family. Annual family vacations on PEI were a favourite, connecting Ashlee to her Maritime roots. Her mom, dad, and brother will forever share the memories of those fun-filled long drives to the east coast, eating all the great food her mother prepared for every trip. When home in Kanata, Ashlee would often bake her dad’s favourite molasses drop cookies and spend big-sister time with Connor.
Along with her parents and brother, Ashlee is survived by her paternal grandmother, Mary McGuirk, Charlottetown, PEI, with whom she shared a special bond. Also, left to grieve are her aunts and uncles; Frank McGuirk, Leona McCarthy, Arlene van Diepen (John), Sharon McGuirk, Laurie McBride (John), Darlene Doiron, all of PEI; Diane McGuirk (Hector MacPhail), Bonita Moore (Gary), Brian McGuirk (Sheila), Susan Doiron, all of Nova Scotia; Mervin McGuirk (Kelli), Paula McGuirk-Lemay (Mike), both from Ontario; and many cousins who will remember special vacation time together, both in Ontario and at Cavendish Maples Cottages on PEI. Ashlee Grace was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Clayton and Gertrude (nee Shepard) Doiron and cousin, Joshua van Diepen. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and colleagues.
A celebration of Ashlee’s life will be held at Tubman Funeral Homes, 3440 Richmond Road, Nepean, ON, K2H 8H7 (between Bayshore and Baseline Road) on Sunday, July 14, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.; Words of Remembrance at 2:00 p.m. Donations can be made through www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com to the Farley Foundation or the Canadian Mental Health Association of Ontario.
A celebration of Ashlee’s life will be held at the Hennessey Cutcliffe Funeral Home, 33-35 Longworth Avenue, Charlottetown, PEI C1A 7M8 on Thursday, July 18, at 5:00 p.m.
“There’s no place I can be
Since I’ve found Serenity.
And you can’t take the sky from me.”
– The Ballad of Serenity by Joss Whedon, from “Firefly”
favorite_border Donations Pledges
Donations may be made to:
Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
180 Dundas Street West, Suite 2301, Toronto ON M5G 1Z8
Tel: 1-800-875-6213
Web: ontario.cmha.ca/get-involved/donate/
The Farley Foundation
Web: www.farleyfoundation.org/donate/
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Dr Ashlee Grace McGuirk December 7 1987 July 5 2019 (age 31)..
Death notice for the town of: Nepean, Province: Ontario