Friday, March 29, 2024

Remembering Ashlynne

Remembering Ashlynne

Eulogy: ‘Our little Angel, whose life was short-lived’

Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero A photograph of Ashlynne Mike is decorated by condolences handwritten and made into a poster Friday at the Farmington Civic Center in Farmington.

Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero
A photograph of Ashlynne Mike is decorated by condolences handwritten and made into a poster Friday at the Farmington Civic Center in Farmington.

FARMINGTON

Ashlynne Mike’s little white casket was placed in the center of the Farmington Civic Center stage Friday morning surrounded with colorful, bright flowers.

Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, left, shakes Gary Mike’s hand Friday during a memorial service for his daughter Ashylnne Mike, 11, at the Farmington Civic Center in Farmington.

Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero
New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, left, shakes Gary Mike’s hand Friday during a memorial service for his daughter Ashylnne Mike, 11, at the Farmington Civic Center in Farmington.

With a slide show of pictures of her playing the xylophone, as well as her artwork she had drawn, her family stood up and spoke about their unique and talented daughter and sister.

“How do I begin a farewell, when I still can’t believe you’re gone,” said Pamela Foster as she gave her daughter’s eulogy. “Our little Angel, whose life was short-lived.

However, her beauty and magic will linger forever in our hearts and in those for whom she’s touched.”

Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero Pall bearers carry Ashylnne Mike’s casket to the hearse Friday at the Farmington Civic Center in Farmington. Thousands attended the memorial service.

Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero
Pall bearers carry Ashylnne Mike’s casket to the hearse Friday at the Farmington Civic Center in Farmington. Thousands attended the memorial service.

Before the beginning of the services it was announced that there were 3,000 people waiting outside wanting to attend the service. Since it was first reported of Ashlynne’s abduction Monday, there had been a widespread support throughout the Navajo Nation and New Mexico to help find her. When it was reported Ashlynne’s body was found not far from the Shiprock Pinnacle the next day, an even greater amount of support came together to show their grief and outrage.

“I’m heartbroken as I stand here today,” said New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez who spoke at Ashlynne’s funeral. “The many people who loved Ashlynne described her as fun loving and always smiling. She was kind and quiet. She would’ve gone on to make a much better place.”

Ashlynne’s untimely, tragic death had sparked the conversation as to why the Navajo Nation lacks an Amber Alert system that could’ve possibly help locate her a lot sooner after she and her younger brother Ian Mike were abducted.

Tom Begaye Jr., 27, of Waterflow, N.M., was later arrested in connection with the abduction.

As he spoke about his little sister, Ryan Begay said when he heard about Ashlynne’s disappearance he drove to the Shiprock Pinnacle with a friend and searched for her. He said he had reported Ashlynne’s disappearance at 10:30 p.m. but the alert didn’t go out until 2:30 a.m. the next morning.

“I wish this alert went out sooner when I called it,” said Ryan Begay. “That night I heard she was kidnapped, I spent a long time at the pinnacle driving late at night. I needed help. I thought that there would be a lot more people out there.”

Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero A biker adorned with a photograph of Ashlynne Mike begins to leaves the Farmington Civic Center in Farmington on Friday.

Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero
A biker adorned with a photograph of Ashlynne Mike begins to leaves the Farmington Civic Center in Farmington on Friday.

Aside from the family’s disappointment in the lack of response from authorities they also spoke emotionally on the kind of little girl Ashlynne was. Her older sister Brittany Begay, said Ashlynne was a talented artist.

It was mentioned how much the fifth-grade student from Ojo Amarillo Elementary loved playing the xylophone and piano, and was a gifted student having made student of the month numerous of times and had near perfect attendance.

“She was such a sweet, funny little sister,” said Brittany. “She was so creative. She would sit by me and watch me as I draw and try to mimic it…sometimes I would get our art work confused because she was that good.”


 To read the full article, pick up your copy of the Navajo Times at your nearest newsstand Thursday mornings!

Are you a digital subscriber? Read the most recent three weeks of stories by logging in to your online account.

  Find newsstand locations at this link.

Or, subscribe via mail or online here.




About The Author

Arlyssa Becenti

Arlyssa Becenti reported on Navajo Nation Council and Office of the President and Vice President. Her clans are Nát'oh dine'é Táchii'nii, Bit'ahnii, Kin łichii'nii, Kiyaa'áanii. She’s originally from Fort Defiance and has a degree in English Literature from Arizona State University. Before working for the Navajo Times she was a reporter for the Gallup Independent.

ADVERTISEMENT

Weather & Road Conditions

Window Rock Weather

Partly Cloudy

38.0 F (3.3 C)
Dewpoint: 24.1 F (-4.4 C)
Humidity: 57%
Wind: South at 4.6 MPH (4 KT)
Pressure: 29.95

More weather »

ADVERTISEMENT