Ashley Danielle Rodgers

It is with great sadness that the family of Ashley Danielle Rodgers announces her tragic passing on August 10, 2024, at the age of 39.

Ashley was born on November 10, 1984, to proud parents Michele Killam and David Rodgers in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. She attended Crescentview School for elementary and graduated from Arthur Meighan High School. Shortly after high school, she began her career in homecare and devoted nearly two decades to her job, pouring her heart into it. She touched so many lives and made it a point to make all those she encountered in her career in homecare feel special and important. 

Ashley’s greatest legacy is the children she raised, and she took immense pride in them. On June 16, 2004, she welcomed her son, Chaz David William Rodgers, into the world. He was the first love of her life, a 9-pound bundle of pure joy. The two of them were inseparable and had a deep bond and love for each other. She loved that little boy to pieces, and he adored his mom right back. Having Chaz at the age of 19, in a sense they grew up together; he was her kind-hearted, gentle-souled shadow. Fast forward to February 13, 2009, and the two of them became an inseparable trio; her beautiful daughter Ayva Michele Rodgers was born. She added the spice to Chaz’s sugar and always kept them on their toes; to say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree is an understatement. Ayva has a compassionate heart that made her mom proud and a fierce spirit just like her mom did. Ashley was an extraordinary mother, and she will continue to watch over her children, remaining forever a part of them.

Quadding, relaxing in the sun, and having laughs around campfires with her friends were some of her favorite ways to spend her time. She adored animals, especially her gentle giants, St. Bernards named Rylee and Reggie. Ashley loved good music and never hesitated to turn the volume all the way up if she was the one controlling the music. She was the life of the party without even trying. 

Lighting up every room she entered, simply by being herself, was one of her greatest gifts. She had a quick wit about her that you couldn’t top, the best sense of humour, and a contagious laugh no one could ever forget. Ashley loved her family and friends fiercely and deeply and was the glue that bound so many together. 

She will be forever remembered by: her loving children, Chaz Rodgers and Ayva Rodgers; her parents, Michele Killam (Guy Godin), and Dave Rodgers (Lorraine Higham); her siblings and their families, Justin Kitching and children Whitney, Aubrey, Ashlyn; Christen Rodgers; Ember Rodgers (Tyrone Taylor) and children James and Nova; Josh Gray AKA: Joshtina (Kallie Bambridge), and Taylor Blatchford (Brad) and daughter Blake; her grandparents, Marlene Killam, and Bill Rodgers; and a large extended family of special aunts, uncles, and cousins who will miss her dearly.

Ashley was predeceased by her grandfather, Bob Killam; her grandmother, Bernice Rodgers; her cousins, Kurt Killam, and Kylee Stewart; and her nephew, Wells Blatchford.

A Celebration of Life will be held for our beautiful, crazy funny, and wild-spirited Ashley on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at the MNP Exhibition Center on Island Park at 1:00 pm. A burial will take place following the Celebration of Life at the Rossendale Cemetery.  The service will be livestreamed and you can register and view below.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to STARS Foundation (Air Ambulance) 1441 Aviation Park NE, Box 570, Calgary, AB T2E 8M7 or Portage Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), 121 12th St. NE, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 4A2. 

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com