PARSIPPANY — Over 400 people packed the Parsippany PAL Youth Center on Friday, March 25 to support “Love Like Ashley Bingo Night.”
“It was truly an HONOR to be part of the event planning for the Love Like Ashley Bingo Night! So very proud to live in Parsippany and be part of such a loving and caring community! #lovelikeashley,” said Marni Deuer.
The Love Like Ashley Memorial Fund, established in 2016, is a tribute to Ashley Nicole Cistaro. Ashley passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly on March 27, 2016.
Ashley was a sweet, loving, kind and happy nine year old whose scrunchy smile warmed the hearts of everyone who knew her. All it took was an introduction, and Ashley considered you her friend.
She welcomed everyone into her circle with open arms. Even as a young girl, her empathy and compassion for others extended well beyond her years.
She lived her life to make others feel accepted and always celebrated others’ successes regardless of her own. Her heart, mind and soul were filled with kindness, joy, love and so many sparkles. She wasn’t afraid to be herself and never felt the need to follow the crowd. Ashley truly was an angel on earth.
Ashley loved and adored her people: Mommy, Daddy, big sister Ella, Huey, Charlie, her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and each and every one of her teachers and friends with her whole heart. She loved cupcakes, cookies, all things peanut butter, lip gloss morning, noon and night, cheerleading, dancing, being silly, the beach and anything pink, purple and sparkly. Ashley was a joy to be around, and truly left a little sparkle wherever she went.
The Love Like Ashley Memorial Fund exists as a community fund to support local, philanthropic causes that honor Ashley’s all-accepting, selfless, empathetic spirit. In addition, an annual scholarship will be awarded to a student who has overcome personal challenges and has demonstrated the qualities that Ashley possessed throughout their high school career.
While donations are much appreciated and what will keep this fund going for years to come, the Love Like Ashley Memorial Fund is solely about honoring Ashley’s beautiful spirit in all that we do. Be a friend to someone who needs one. Enjoy the little things in life… Snuggle with your loved ones. Say I love you any chance you get. Be silly and make people laugh. When life gets difficult, keep going and don’t ever give up. Most importantly, spread kindness where it is needed most.
Ashley was taken from us far too soon. In her short time here she created a legacy with her kind, sparkly spirit. Above all things, it is our hope that all who come upon this fund will dedicate their lives and choose to live and Love Like Ashley.
For more information on Ashley, click here.
