Ashley Sheppard
| Ashley Sheppard | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
Ashley Katherine Sheppard March 11, 1975 Janesville, WI |
| Died |
May 31, 2002 (aged 27) Madison, WI |
| Cause of death | Disease |
| Partner(s) | Garrett Moore |
| School | Craig High School |
| Year | 1990 to 1994 |
Ashley Sheppard was an architect and romantic love interest of Garrett Moore.
Early Days
At the age of four, Ashley was diagnosed with a fatal disease, but kept it private from all but her closest family members.
In 1994, she met Garrett Moore during Physics Day at Great America in Chicago. Despite coming from a completely different city, they kept running into each other throughout the day. During their talks, she learned that Garrett would be attending Stevens Point for college, just like her. She writes down her name and asks him to find her once he arrives.
College Years
That fall, Ashley encountered Garrett again, nearly forgetting about her since their previous meeting. They quickly became close friends and dated intermittently throughout their junior year. As they approached senior year, Garrett and Ashley talked about their future, which eventually led to their breakup. During this period, Ashley was offered a job in New York City but chose not to accept it. In 1998, Ashley graduated from Stevens Point, and for the following year, she had minimal or no contact with Garrett.
Career and Meeting Garrett Again
In late 1999, Ashley was referred by a business partner to Hicks & Abbott Architectural Firm in New Prairie, which she accepted and moved to. New to the town, she went to Jumpers where she ran into Garrett again. After a long night of talking, the two ended up together again. Eight months later, they moved in together.
Nearing the End
In early December 2001, Ashley went to her monthly checkup, where the doctor informed her that her disease had worsened significantly, giving her only six months to live. She decided not to tell Garrett about it. A few days before Christmas, she found out that Garrett had bought a ring and planned to propose to her on Christmas Day. She and Garrett spent a fun night together on Christmas Eve. Ashley woke up early Christmas morning, wrote a note, took a few of her belongings, and left Garrett for good. In the note, she chose not to mention she was dying, instead saying that her decision would benefit both of them.
In May 2002, she wrote a short lament that she arranged to be given to her friends and family at her funeral. As the month went on, she grew weaker and eventually died on May 31st. At her funeral, her friends and family gathered to mourn. A heartbroken and depressed Garrett was spotted in the back.