Ashley Franklin

Ashley Dianne Denee Franklin lived larger than life. She was loving, kind, generous, and free spirited. She had a mind of her own. Ashley would talk to anyone and was the life of the party. No one was a stranger to Ashley.

She was born in Toledo, Ohio on July 22, 1987. Family meant the world to her, and Ashley loved the life she and her beautiful wife, (also) Ashley Franklin, created together. They have three extraordinary children, Christopher Burns, Katie Schultz, and Brady Peters. Her grandmothers, Linda Franklin and Donna Fligor, were a constant presence in Ashley’s life. Among the large family and loved ones she also leaves behind are Cole Creque, Kyle Seeds, Chanesse Gilmore, Mordecai Seeds, Celeste Fetterly, Haylee and Trey Dewaters, and her bestie Danielle Stuard. Ashley described Danielle as the other half of her brain cells.

Beyond her family and chosen family, Ashley adored animals and nature. She loved being outdoors. The beach – any beach – was her happy place. She had dozens and dozens of animals over the years, from cats and dogs to a ball python and bearded dragon. Many were rescues or fosters. There wasn’t animal that she didn’t love. She became an avid gardener, another extension of her compassionate and nurturing spirit.

Ashley had a passion for helping people. She created her own cleaning business. But she would also take on anything else that her clients needed. Many of them, particularly her clients who were in their golden years, became like family to Ashley.

She lost her battle with pancreatic cancer on August 8, 2025 with Ashley by her side. But even in her final days Ashley did what she wanted, spoke her mind, and made everyone laugh.

Ashley was a breath of fresh air… every day of her life. She would go to the ends of the earth to protect the people she loved. She left us far too soon.