Ashley Elizabeth Thibeau

1995 - 2022

Waterford - On Jan. 6, 2022, Ashley Elizabeth Thibeau, 26, of Waterford was called home to be with the angels after a long and courageous battle with cancer surrounded by her parents and her puppies. Ashley was born at Backus Hospital in Norwich, Oct. 10, 1995, to Craig and Kimberly Thibeau and was little sister to her sibling, CJ.

From the beginning to the end, Ashley always lived life on her terms. She attended Southwest Elementary School where she discovered her love for reading and learning, and Clark Lane Middle School. She graduated from Waterford High School where she ushered for WATERFORDrama and earned a varsity letter for fencing. Ashley was a driven and devoted student, and she treasured her years at WHS as a part of Lancer Nation, and loved and admired so many of her teachers and school staff members. She was known for her big heart and accepting nature, and the WHS community was enriched by her presence. She attended Three Rivers Community College where she studied business.

Ashley was passionate about vampire, zombie, and horror films and was one of the biggest fans of Disney and Pixar movies - she never missed one. Ashley also loved horseback riding, especially her lessons on Blue, the horse; and she had a love for all animals, which led her to become a veterinarian technician at Waterford Animal Hospital. This position gave her a chance to share her special gift of caring for and tending to all of the pets that came into the office. Perhaps the challenges she faced in life gave her the compassion and skill to tend to the sick and hurt, including helping them cross the Rainbow Bridge and helping their families deal with their loss. She loved what she did, proven by the fact that her last day of work was four days before her passing. She had tremendous affection for her co-workers, Elaine, Lynn and Andrew, and her employer, Dr. Rakesh Agarwal and his wife Rani. Ashley will continue to help all pets that cross the Rainbow Bridge.

Ashley is survived by her parents, sibling, and puppies, Cooper and Moxie; her maternal grandmother Gail of Niantic; her maternal uncle Greg of East Lyme; and her cousins, Brady and Gianna of East Lyme, and Calvin of Waterford; her stepmother Kim of Niantic; her stepbrother Zachary Johnson of Oakdale; her paternal uncle Scott and her cousins Alicia, Alexis and Tabitha of Biddeford, Maine; and her boyfriend Daniel Cretens of Deep River.

Ashley was predeceased by her maternal grandfather Peter of Niantic; and her puppies, Bailey and Sweetie.

A private family service will be held before public calling hours, which will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, at Neilan & Sons Funeral Home at 48 Grant St., Niantic. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Ashley's name to the Humane Society in Quaker Hill. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared on Ashley's memorial page at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.