On Wednesday night, friends, floormates and family members gathered in the Rieber Fireside Lounge to memorialize the life of Ashlee Walker, a second-year psychology student who died last week.
Walker was in a car accident on Nov. 11 and died from the injuries the next morning.
But when people came together for her memorial service, they spoke of her life, not her death, and how they were different people because of her.
Walker’s resident assistants and suitemates helped put together the service, which a number of her family members attended. Students were invited to sign posters with pictures of Walker and make paper cranes.
A sign read: “An ancient Japanese legend has that a basket of cranes is to bring peace and comfort to those grieving. Tonight in loving memory of Ashlee, we are folding paper cranes for her family and loved ones. Please join us as we celebrate the life of our beautiful friend.”
Throughout the night, attendees got down on the floor and made origami cranes, and then presented them to the family. They also got up and spoke to the room about the grief they felt in the wake of such an untimely loss.
“Someone you’ve known your whole life, you never expect them to one day up and never come back,” said Robin Egbuniwe, a second-year physiological science student who had known Walker since preschool. “She was just like an angel on earth, there’s nothing you can say that’s bad about her.”
Neha Joshi and Britany Winkler, Walker’s resident assistants in Rieber Terrace, said they remembered the first day she moved on to their floor.
“Her mom was telling us she was nervous, since it was her first year living here (on campus),” Joshi said. “We watched her branch out to her roommates and her floor. … Everyone is absolutely devastated.”
Many people spoke of Walker’s constant smile and sunny outlook.
“Every time we saw her, she was always so happy,” said Cathy Qu, a third-year Design | Media Arts student, who was one of Walker’s suitemates. “She just had the most beautiful smile.”
Qu also said she’d miss the little things about living with Walker.
“I will miss seeing her towel on the rack, her soap in the bathroom,” Qu said.
One of Walker’s passions was the Afrikan Student Union. Dennis Denman, a second-year English student, was also a member and fondly recalled Walker’s involvement.
“She was really active in the black community. It’s a loss to us all,” Denman said. “We’re all part of this family.”
Ebreon Farris also was involved with the Afrikan Student Union. He said he remembered regularly passing Walker on his way to class, adding that he regretted not ever getting to know the girl behind the bright smile.
“She is now my source of inspiration,” Farris said.
Another student said that everyone who knew Walker would take something positive away from that relationship.
“I think the thing that I’ll remember most about Ashlee is her sweet smile and her gentle soul,” said Heather Cavion, a second-year psychology student who lived on Walker’s floor. “I think in that way she’ll live through all of us. I will miss her immensely.”
Pardis Farhadian, who also lived in Rieber Terrace, spoke directly to the family about Walker’s impact on their lives. “Ashlee was part of a loving community. We all cared about her,” Farhadian said. “If you could take the number of people in this room, and multiply it by a thousand ““ by infinity ““ that’s how many people cared about her and how many lives she touched.”
Nona Bards, one of Walker’s aunts, got up to speak and thanked all the students who attended the service.
“It does our heart good to know there are so many people who love Ashlee like we did,” Bards said.
Walker’s funeral will be this Saturday at 10:30 a.m. It will be held at the Angelus Funeral Home located at 3875 South Crenshaw Boulevard here in Los Angeles. Anyone wishing to attend the ceremony can meet at 9 a.m. in the Rieber Turnaround, where transportation will be provided to and from the university.
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