Students, faculty members, friends and family filled a chapel in Provo to commemorate the life of a BYU student Feb. 18.
Ashleigh Nicole Cox, a senior majoring in human development, died Feb. 9 after being swept by an avalanche into a stream near Tibble Fork Reservoir.
The memorial service began with a euology and life sketch given by Jeralyn Lott, Cox’s aunt. Lott and other speakers mentioned how Cox spent her life serving others; Cox, the morning of her death, felt impressed to serve at an assisted living center and help the elderly play bingo.
“To me that embodies everything that Ashleigh does and who she is,”
Lott said.
Lott said she will always remember her niece’s sweet tooth, how she lived her life to the fullest and her sparkly eyes.
Heidi Carlston, who has been Cox’s roommate for four years at BYU, said she will always remember Cox as an optimistic, obedient and a great listener. Carlston, with tears in her eyes, said Cox will be deeply missed.
“I’ll miss our late-night talks,” Carlston said. “I’ll miss us laughing until two in the morning, or talking about serious life decisions.”
Carlston said how forgiving Cox was. She told the congregation the only fight the two of them had was over the definition of a cube of butter; the “argument” quickly turned into a joke.
Josh Dance, who was with Cox on a double date the day the avalanche happened, remembers talking about Cox’s parents and her love for them as they made their way up the canyon.
“Talking to her, I really felt her light and her conviction and I honestly felt like she was going to be a great mother one day,” Dance said. “Ashleigh inspires me to love more.”
Dance was able to overcome the pain and feelings of guilt for choosing to go snowshoeing in the very location where Cox would later die. He is grateful for the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
“The Atonement makes everything that is unfair, fair, what is not just, just, it heals broken lives and broken hearts, yours and mine,” he said. “Knowing about the Atonement is not enough; we have to use it.”
Bishop Robert Rasmussen of the provo YSA 26th Ward only had the opportunity of knowing Cox for a few months, yet, was still was able to notice how much of an example she was to others.
“Ashleigh Cox was one of the most faithful, Christlike people I have ever met,” Rasmussen said. “She had clearly experienced a mighty change of heart, the life she lived is evidence of this.”
Her father, Dennis Cox, expressed his family’s appreciation for the prayers and support offered in their behalf and encouraged everyone to move forward and remember the great memories they had with his daughter.
A Pledgie Memorial Account has been set up in Cox’s name to help offset expenses incurred by the family.
