May 16, 1988 - January 7, 2022
It is with profound sadness that we say goodbye to our beloved Amanda.
Amanda died tragically as a result of a skiing accident at Whitewater Ski Resort near Nelson. The on-hill staff and the emergency and hospital medical teams in Nelson did everything possible to save her, but her injuries were too severe to overcome. Her last activity was doing something that she loved.
Family meant so much to Amanda. She was predeceased by her paternal grandparents (John and Phyllis Asay) her maternal grandparents (Raymond and Dorothy Russell) and infant cousin Chad Asay. She is survived by her parents, Loris and George Asay, brother and sister-in-law Brad Asay (Amanda Lacerda), Uncles and aunts, Doug (Joy) Asay, Burt (Shirley-Ann) Asay, and Diane Russell, cousins Doug Asay Jr.(Kim), Dayna (Rick) Eberhardt, Kara (Pat) Aylard, Todd Asay, Burke Asay.
Amanda is also survived by countless friends and teammates from all over the world. This is such a tragic and unexpected loss. As someone said - she did not live a full life, but the life she led was full. She was full of life and our lives will not ever be the same without her.
Amanda (also known as Barb, Ace, Bear, and Nelrak) was born and raised in Prince George, B.C.. She attended College Heights Elementary School and then College Heights Secondary School. She received a 4-year academic scholarship to Brown University. She played hockey for 3 years and softball for 4 years for the Brown Bears. She received a B Sc degree in Human Biology. She went on to the University of British Columbia in Vancouver where she obtained a Master of Science and then a PhD. in Forestry (becoming "Dr. Barb"). She worked under Dr. Suzanne Simard (her Supervisor and Advisor) on the "Mother Tree", "Intelligent Trees", and other projects. Suzanne was so supportive and encouraging of Amanda in every way. She helped her develop a passion for trees and allowed her to continue her amazing athletic career in baseball and hockey. Amanda's research was focused on kin selection in trees and their communication in underground mycorrhizal fungal networks.
Amanda recently moved to Nelson, B.C. and she worked alongside Deb MacKillop (a Research Ecologist) on a proposal. She did some work with her friend Nicole Luchanski (who is also a Forester). She then began working for the Ministry of Forests as a Silvicultural Systems Researcher in May of 2019. Using her woodworking skills, she loved renovating her 100-year old house. She enjoyed planting a vegetable garden, growing flowers, and working in the yard. She loved the Nelson community with its fabulous outdoor recreational opportunities. She had a wonderful roommate (Kath Surbey - a former hockey teammate from Brown University), and she had already become a valuable contributor to several groups (hockey with 3 teams and coaching a young baseball team for example).
Amanda loved both winter and summer sports of all kinds. Her love of sports included hockey, ringette, snow boarding, downhill and X-country skiing, snowshoeing, swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, golf, and snorkeling. She played both NCAA and CIS College hockey and NCAA softball. She was also a regular for the Canadian Women's National baseball team earning 5 world cup medals and a Pan Am silver. She was always up for an adventure. She was passionate about nature, loved to camp and hike and enjoyed the wilderness. She loved games, paint-by-numbers, and puzzles and she was a wizard at all of them.
There will be a memorial for Amanda in Prince George Friday, February 11th, 2:00pm, at Assman's Funeral Chapel. Unfortunately due to the Covid restrictions, numbers are limited at the service. Also, we are unable to have a reception under the new guidelines. If you plan on attending, could you please notify a family member so we are able to comply. All attendees must be double vaccinated. A live streamed video of the service will be available for those unable to attend. When restrictions are lifted celebrations of Amanda's life will take place in Nelson and Prince George.
Plans are being made to establish a scholarship fund in Amanda's name to promote the growth and development of female sports and athletes. Her utterly amazing legacy will live on in the memories of all who knew and loved her.
Rest in peace Amanda Bear!
To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.thompsonfs.ca/obituary/amanda-asay/
Thompson Funeral Service