ASHLEY BROOK WHIPPLE

BRANDON — It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of Ashley Brook (Morcombe) Whipple, age 40, on March 31, 2024, at Rutland Regional Medical Center.

Ashley, aka “Coolwhip,” was born in Middlebury on Oct. 10, 1983. She was the only child of Barbara Whipple. She grew up in Addison County and Brandon. She graduated from Otter Valley Union High School and the Diversified Occupations program at the Patricia Hannaford Career Center. Ashley always loved school. She also loved being a part of Special Olympics for a long time. She dearly loved the friendships she made there.

Ashley loved Camp Thorpe, which she attended since age 9. She loved music, dancing, making art, swimming and volunteering at Homeward Bound and fostering kittens for The Feline Connection.

Ashley had a wonderful sense of humor and made everyone’s day better — wisecracks with perfect timing and just a laugh that melted hearts.

She is survived by her mother, Barbara Whipple; her dog, Cali; and cats Dusty and Henry who were very important to her; a brother, Jason Fitzsimmons and his family; her sweet boyfriend, Greg; Aunt Joy and Uncle Butch; Uncle Steve and Aunt Heidi; Aunt Sue and her family; Uncle Mike; Auntie Lisa; all of her “favorite “cousins, Amy Sweet and her family, Rob Whipple and his family, Zoe Smith and her family, Jackson Smith, Harper and her family and Christopher Gingras; her grandmother Marie Whipple and her family; and her friends Amy and Steven.

Ashley had some extremely important friends in her life. Warren Burbo, who became a dad to her, Andrea Galiano and her family, Ann Chartrand and her family, Debbie Lloyd, Mary Mitchell, Michael Bright and Bashir Abdulaziz. These people enriched her life on a daily basis. Ashley was a unique spirit that truly was a light in the world.

A gathering in celebration of Ashley’s life, will be held on Saturday, April 20, at 10:30 a.m., at the Brandon Congregational Church. Following the ceremony the family will receive friends at the Brandon Inn for a time of remembrance. Donations to thefelineconnection.org or Camp Thorpe in Ashley’s honor would be appreciated. Both were important to her.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon.◊