By JOHN SHAW
Daily Light Staff Writer
Bright sunshine filled the southern exit of the building,
and smiles and hugs were passed between those who loved and were touched
by Ashley O'Rear.
"Ashley would have loved this," whispered
one participant.
The Waxahachie teenager who lost her battle with brain
cancer last year was fondly remembered during a two-part ceremony at the
Civic Center Thursday afternoon.
Ashley's parents Paul and Susan, her brother Justin,
local dignitaries, Civic Center staff, state Senator David Cain and other
friends and relatives gathered in the southwest wing to honor her memory.
Cain traveled to the get-together in a special effort
to read a Texas Senate proclamation to the small assembly and to present
it to the O'Rears. The document was passed during the last session of
the Senate and was sponsored by Cain.
"Ashley was a joy to all those who knew her and
it is an honor to be able to celebrate her life with this proclamation,"
Cain said.
The 14-year-old was also honored with the dedication
of a park bench in her name. The park bench graces the covered mall steps
leading into and out of the southwestern doors and is designated with
a small plaque bearing Ashley's name.
That Ashley was remembered in this manner at the Civic
Center was a joy to her father, Paul.
Paul praised the staff of the Civic Center highly and said they were an integral part of the community that had bonded with the O'Rears before, during and after Ashley's death.
"We have a very fond place in our hearts for the staff members," Paul said. "They've been very good for our family."
