Obituary for Ashley F. Sheppard (Kurtz)
Ashley Frances Sheppard passed away at the age of 35 on Sunday, October 29, 2023, in her home surrounded by loved ones. Born July 14, 1988 in Syracuse, NY, Ashley had succumbed to an 8+ month battle with stomach cancer. Ashley showed an unwavering passion for life that was contagious to everyone she spent time with.
Ashley is survived by her husband of ten years, Michael; their beloved two-year-old son Jackson; grandparents Donna and Jack Gilbert; father John (Eleanor) Kurtz, two sisters Breanna (Tom) Spencer and Mackenzie (Forrest) Heaney, brother Ryan Fitzgerald, along with very loving in-laws; an amazing group of friends and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Ashley was predeceased by her mother Tracy Kurtz, February 2023.
After graduating from Westhill High School, Ashley completed a bachelor's degree from SUNY Oswego’s Zoology program. Then landing her first, and only job, with the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, she began the work she was passionate about. At RGZ, her career focus was aimed on advancing Elephant Conservation. RGZ afforded Ashley the ability to travel the country attending conferences and management programs in addition to her dream trip to Thailand in 2016 to study elephant management tactics. Then in 2022 Ashley’s undying love and care for the Elephants at RGZ hit global headlines with the rare birth of twin male elephants.
Ashley’s love for animals of all species began at a young age, assisting her father in breeding and rearing Rottweiler puppies. That is a prime example of how she was known by those close to her to never shy away from tough challenges, no matter how life changing they may prove to be. Ashley expressed exuberant confidence in others, promoting those around her to be their best selves. Even after being diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach, Ashley continued to give everyone her best self.
There will be a celebration of life event to honor Ashley on November 26th, 2023, starting at 3 pm at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse, NY 13204.
The family asks that in lieu of gifts, donations can be made to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo Elephant Herd.
Ashley is survived by her husband of ten years, Michael; their beloved two-year-old son Jackson; grandparents Donna and Jack Gilbert; father John (Eleanor) Kurtz, two sisters Breanna (Tom) Spencer and Mackenzie (Forrest) Heaney, brother Ryan Fitzgerald, along with very loving in-laws; an amazing group of friends and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Ashley was predeceased by her mother Tracy Kurtz, February 2023.
After graduating from Westhill High School, Ashley completed a bachelor's degree from SUNY Oswego’s Zoology program. Then landing her first, and only job, with the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, she began the work she was passionate about. At RGZ, her career focus was aimed on advancing Elephant Conservation. RGZ afforded Ashley the ability to travel the country attending conferences and management programs in addition to her dream trip to Thailand in 2016 to study elephant management tactics. Then in 2022 Ashley’s undying love and care for the Elephants at RGZ hit global headlines with the rare birth of twin male elephants.
Ashley’s love for animals of all species began at a young age, assisting her father in breeding and rearing Rottweiler puppies. That is a prime example of how she was known by those close to her to never shy away from tough challenges, no matter how life changing they may prove to be. Ashley expressed exuberant confidence in others, promoting those around her to be their best selves. Even after being diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach, Ashley continued to give everyone her best self.
There will be a celebration of life event to honor Ashley on November 26th, 2023, starting at 3 pm at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse, NY 13204.
The family asks that in lieu of gifts, donations can be made to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo Elephant Herd.