Ashley Elizabeth Crossett

Ashley Elizabeth Crossett (Ash, Ash Can, Boo Boo Cakes) Age 32, a resident of New Lenox, passed away on Friday April 16, 2021 due to complications of dysautonomia with her loving family at her side. Beloved daughter of Greg and Nancy Crossett (Weber); loving sister of Nikki (Ken) Dangman and Christopher (Katy) Crossett; cherished Aunt of Kaden, Greyson, Gage, Lucas, and Emma; treasured granddaughter of George (late Sharon) Crossett and the late Henry (late Norma) Weber; also survived by beloved dog, Daisy, and numerous loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Ashley graduated from Lincoln-Way Central High School in 2006 and was very active in the Color Guard and Winter Guard. During Ashley’s high school career, she traveled to Washington D.C. to march in the 2nd Inauguration for George W. Bush. With the band, Ashley also had the opportunity to perform in the Gator Bowl. Ashley also loved singing and performed as a Madrigal Singer and took part in numerous musicals at Central including “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
In Ashley’s free time, she loved vacationing at Daytona Beach, Key West, Boston, Disney World, Universal Studios, Nashville, and Colorado. Her friendly nature was revealed through her desire to make lasting friendships with those she met on family vacations. Ashley was the life of any gathering and was normally found dancing wherever she went-whether it be a dance floor or Mallory Square in Key West, Florida. Music was always important to Ashley and she enjoyed going to see “Rent” and “Mary Poppins” with her sister, Nikki.
Ashley attended the nursing program at the University of Saint Francis in Crown Point, IN. Ashley had a strong desire to help others and become a nurse like her mom, Nancy. During this time, Ashley worked at St. James in Chicago Heights as a CNA, Telemetric Monitor Tech, and a Unit Secretary. It is while in the nursing program, that Ashley was diagnosed with dysautonomia. Ashley always had a desire to raise awareness about her illness in order to help others become diagnosed and to teach doctors about her diagnosis. In 2016, the Village of New Lenox declared that October be Dysautonomia Awareness month for the town of New Lenox in order to honor Ashley and raise awareness. A year later, with the support of Margo McDermed, dysautonomia was recognized for the State of Illinois with Ashley and her parents present. Ashley knew that while there may not be a cure for her that her fight could make a difference for those diagnosed in the future. Ashley had a true warrior spirit.
Ashley enjoyed spending time with her family and cherished her mornings with her mom and dad where she had them all to herself. “Coffee with Ashley,” as Ashley coined it, was for Greg and Nancy to have their morning coffee and sit with Ashley in her room, and Ashley would partake with coffee or chocolate milk. Together, they would start their day together long before the sun came up by talking quietly in Ashley’s room, and those mornings are now fond memories for Greg and Nancy. “Coffee with Ashley” was the best start to the day. Ashley loved her niece and nephews like they were her own. Ashley was known for spoiling Kaden, Greyson, Gage, Lucas and Emma with hugs and laughter. While at RIC, Ashley enjoyed trips to Lincoln Park Zoo, Sprinkles, the Disney Store, and Stan’s Donuts when her family came to visit. Once Ashley became wheelchair bound, Ashley would give her niece and nephews many wheelchair rides especially when she lived on the “farm” with Chris and Katy. The kids loved zipping around with Ashley. Ashley would always give the kids “red noses” for the Red Nose Day campaign which works to end child poverty. Ashley had such loving nature, and it lives on through her niece and nephews.
When Ashley was in high school, she wrote a letter to the underclassmen and in the letter she wrote a quote that reads, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, “I used everything you gave me.”’ Ashley’s time here may have been brief, but Ashley embraced every moment and gave every day her all.
Ashley was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, grand-daughter and friend who will always be remembered and never forgotten. The family will receive friends at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 65 Old Frankfort Way, Frankfort, IL 60423 on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 from 3-8 PM. Funeral service in the funeral home chapel on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 11:00 AM. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, donations to the “Ashley Crossett Scholarship,” would be appreciated. The “Ashley Crossett Scholarship” will support the Lincoln-Way District #210 band and color guard members by awarding one scholarship every school year in Ashley’s memory to a band or color guard member. No food is allowed in the funeral home. Masks and social distancing required for all in attendance. Info www.kurtzmemorialchapel.com or 815-806-2225