Ana-Alecia Crystalle Fernandez Ayala

Ayala, Ana-Alecia Crystalle. Loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend passed away surrounded by her family and priest on January 18, 2017. Born August 22, 1984 in Dallas to Norma and Rodolfo Fernandez, Ana-Alecia was married to Juan Ayala and mother to Avalyn Elena. Ana-Alecia graduated from W.W. Samuell High School where she was participated in JROTC, volleyball, softball, and was a cheerleader. After graduation, she attended the University of Dallas. Ana-Alecia was loved by many and she loved each person in return. She had a big heart and a forgiving nature. Her compassion for others set her apart from all others. She was always the first to volunteer to help a friend, be someone’s +1, or provide for others. Celebrations were her favorite! She celebrated EVERYTHING and EVERYONE! Her big heart was always evident. She gave and forgave unconditionally. Family was the most important to Ana-Alecia. All of them! She strived hard to honor her parents, grandparents, and family at all times. She was a very involved Auntie to her nieces and nephews always attending their events and showing her love and for support for them even after diagnosis. To others who knew the Fernandez family, Ana-Alecia was #3 in order of the Fernandez 4. Together the four of them were unstoppable. Ana-Alecia said it best a year ago when she said, “We’ve been through it all and no matter what, I can always count on these girls to have my back. I love my sisters so much. We are all very unique in our own way, and that’s the way I like it.” In 2006, Ana-Alecia met the love of her life, Juan Ayala. They dated and were married in 2012. They welcomed their pride and joy, Avalyn Elena in 2013. Avalyn was Ana’s world. She loved her unconditionally and always put her first even throughout her diagnosis. Juan and Ana-Alecia shared of love of softball and played together with their friends in a league in Mesquite. Ana-Alecia often referred to Juan as her forever teammate. Even after diagnosis, Ana-Alecia remained the Misfits’ biggest fan and planned to return to the team just as soon as she was able. Ana-Alecia enjoyed working out and dancing. In July 2015, she learned of an online fitness group, CSATT FitFam. She joined in their challenges and made some lasting friendships. After diagnosis, this group remained an important part of her journey consistently sending her packages, letters, and daily videos that offered her inspiration. From the time of diagnosis, Ana-Alecia wanted to bring awareness to other’s fighting cancer and to their caretakers. She never wanted to be treated as if she was sick and wanted other caretakers of cancer patients to know that it was okay to be “normal”. With every treatment and phase of her journey, she smiled and faced it with positivity. This positivity was contagious and inspirational to so many. In October 2016, Ana-Alecia became a viral internet star when she recorded a video entitled Juju on that Chemo with her friend Danielle. Their video received millions of views all around the world and she quickly became known as the “dancing chemo girl”. Their video even earned them an appearance on the Ellen show and various other media outlets where she shared her story and reminded people that she was “cancer’s worst nightmare”. She even had the chance to meet Meghan Trainor, who’s song was used for her first dance video. The family would like to recognize and thank ASP Cares, to Abdul Hameed and Bharat Pareek, for their unwavering support, generosity, and love throughout her journey. They would also like to thank Danielle, Cody, Mamma Lynn, Frank and Sharon Goulet, and CSATT FittFam, #kissmybrave, and Pretty Girls with Cancer for their positive impact on Ana-Alecia’s journey. She drew so much strength from each of you. She is proceeded in death by her father, Rodolfo Fernandez. She is survived by her loving husband, Juan Ayala, daughter, Avalyn, mother, Norma Fernandez Mendez, grandparents Greg and Angelica Ybarra and in-laws Maria and Raul Ayala. She is also survived by her 3 sisters and their families: Angelica and Bill Fountain, Bianca and Theo Gantt, their children Aidan and Vivianna, and Victoria Fernandez. Finally, the family would like to thank Father Rudy Garcia for continual spiritual guidance and the loving staff of Baylor Pickens 5 for treating Ana-Alecia more like family than a patient. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ana-Alecia’s Legacy Go Fund Me Account https://www.gofundme.com/8t-anaalecias-legacy-fund. Viewing will be held on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at Gonzalez Funeral Home 3050 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas TX 75247 from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. with a Rosary scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Funeral procession will depart 1:00 p.m. Wednesday January 25, 2017 for a 2:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe 2215 Ross Ave, Dallas, TX 75201. Entombment following Calvary Hill Mausoleum 3235 Lombardy Lane, Dallas, TX 75220.