Alexandra Catherine Ashby

She was born on October 14th, 1988 in Olympia Fields, Illinois to Gordon Smith and Kelly Smith. She is survived by her Husband of 6 years Taylor, and their two children, Landon (5) and Estelle (1) , Her Mother Kelly and her Father Gordon, Her sisters Ashley (Keith Hingle) and Amanda (Torres), Niece Mia, Nephew Gabe, and numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles. She is preceded in death by her Grandparents Robert and Theresa Baker, Grandparents William and Helen Smith, and many cherished Aunts and Uncles.

She spent her childhood in Cape Coral, where she played sports and got into mischief with her best friends and her children. During her formative years, she attended Pelican Elementary, Gulf Middle, and Cape Coral High School, where she excelled in Swimming and Academics and was Part of Homecoming Court. She Graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University, studying athletic training and received a Masters from Olivet-Nazarene University In Education. She taught students with major disabilities before moving back to Lee County in 2015 and teaching for 10 years in the school district, starting at Caloosa Middle School, where she was beloved by her colleagues and students for her passion for learning, accepting and loving demeanor, and thirst for life, and met the love of her life Taylor. She continued her teaching career at Cape Coral High School, Trafalgar Middle, and Ida Baker High School where she was a constant light of positivity, carefree spirit, and compassion.

Alex and Taylor’s love story can only be rivaled with a Nicholas Sparks novel: A story of perseverance, sacrifice, and unrelenting and unshakeable faith in each other’s heart. Through her trials with Cystic Fibrosis, Taylor saw firsthand how she persevered through breathing treatments, hospitalizations, and advocation. It was her spirit, stubborn but loveable nature and persistence that stole his heart. He proposed to her as the sun set on Mallory Square in Key West and were married in Fort Myers on July 21st, 2019. Over their 10 years together, they bonded over lesson plans and coffee over the weekend, trips to the beach where they would ride their bicycles, going out to eat at trendy restaurants, concerts and music festivals, walking their two dogs, and watching their children navigate their own Cystic Fibrosis battles. Their vacations together reflected both her love of nature and the whimsicalness of their inner child: White water rafting in the Carolinas, Hiking in Helen, Exploring the beaches and beauty of Jamaica, Trips to Disney, Zoos, and Aquariums with their children. But their trip to Paris will always be held the dearest: A week of eating pastries, getting lost in the city and museums, Celebrating Bastille Day, drinking too much champagne in front of the Eiffel tower, The mystique of the Moulin Rouge, and falling madly and deeper into each other’s love through the aura that only could be produced by the city of love and lights can bring.

Her friends remember her fondly for her spark, spunk and kindness, always reaching out to them in their time of need, offering her presence, time, and love. She gave the best hugs and stopped to pet every single dog she saw.

“Grow through what you go through” was a quote she lived by. ¬She lived fiercely through a lifetime battle with Cystic Fibrosis and was the greatest advocate for her children in their own CF battles, and actively involved in The Rock CF foundation, The Boomer Esiason Foundation, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Southwest Florida.

When she wasn’t giving herself to her community, school, or family She enjoyed the beach and paddleboarding, jogging, triathlons, family walks and bike rides, spending anytime she could outside, Long car rides blasting Taylor Swift, loving on her children and her dogs, going out to brunch with her friends, growing sunflowers, coffee dates, traveling, and enjoying movie nights shows with her husband.

Alex’s favorite colors were yellow and purple, she loved the ocean, butterflies, rainbows, and sunflowers.

A celebration of life will take place at Cape Christian on Saturday, November 29th at 10 am to with a brunch to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Rock CF Foundation. Donations can be made online at https://www.letsrockcf.org/donate or mailed to Rock CF Foundation: 684 W. Baltimore STE 101 Detroit Michigan, 48202