Amanda Karlene Asay

Amanda died tragically as a result of a skiing accident at Whitewater Ski Resort near Nelson. She was caught in a tree well in a gladed run after losing a ski. The 3 feet of new powder created a situation that resulted in a truly tragic accident that was not survivable. 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 absolutely loved.

Family meant so much to Amanda. She was predeceased by her paternal grandparents (John and Phyllis Asay) and her maternal grandparents (Raymond and Dorothy Russell). She is survived by her parents (Loris and George Asay in Prince George), brother and sister-in-law (Brad Asay and Amanda Lacerda in Prince George), Auntie Diane Russell (in Nanaimo), Shirley-Ann and Burt Asay (in Salmon Arm), Doug and Joy Asay (in Casa Grande, Arizona), cousins Todd Asay and Jace and Ty (in St. Albert), Burke Asay (in St. Albert), Kara and Pat Aylard and Jordan(Stephanie), Brendan, Cooper, and Leah (in Kelowna), Doug Asay Jr., his wife Kim, Carter, Carson, and Cruz (in Vancouver, Washington), and Dayna and Rick Eberhardt and Liam, Cameron, and Ella (in Seattle, Washington).

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, British Columbia. She attended College Heights Elementary School and then College Heights Secondary School. She received a 4-year academic scholarship to Brown University (in Providence, Rhode Island). She played hockey for 3 years (injured in her last year) and softball for 4 years for the Brown Bears. She received a Bachelor of Science 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 (when she became “Dr. Barb” and Dr. Asay). 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, BC and she initially 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 (FLNRORD) as a Silvicultural Systems Researcher in May of 2019. She bought a 100-year old house and she was loving working on many renovation projects using her incredible woodworking skills. She enjoyed planting a vegetable garden, growing flowers, and working in the yard. She planned to build a deck above the garage and have a huge party. 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 many groups (including playing hockey with 3 teams, coaching a young baseball team for example).

To say that Amanda was active is a huge understatement. She started playing ringette in Prince George at the age of 6 years and continued to do so until she went to Brown University. She then went on to play hockey for many years. She played with the Prince George Female Midget Cougars, the Northern Blades, and then the BC Outback (a group of female hockey players from outside the Lower Mainland). Her hockey career continued at Brown University and then with the UBC Thunderbirds. She also played ringette with the UBC Club Ringette team. She loved every team she played for and she made lifelong friends on many teams.

Amanda began her baseball career with the Prince George East Dodgers (under the coaching of her father, George). She played on a house team during the season and she made the All Star Team every year for 4 years. When her Little League career ended, she switched to softball. She played as a catcher with the Prince George Thunderbirds Softball Team for 7 years. She was a walk-on for the Brown Bears Softball Team and she played NCAA softball for 4 years.

Baseball was always Amanda’s love. She played for the “Impact” Girls Baseball team of the Spirit in Action Athletic Program on a wonderful trip to San Felipe, Mexico in 2004 to support young women playing baseball. In 2005, when she was 17 years old, she made the Canadian Women’s National Baseball Team. At the Canadian National Baseball Championships, she initially played with Team Alberta (when BC did not have a provincial women’s team). She then played with Team BC every year. She played with Team Canada for 15 years as a catcher, first baseman, designated hitter, and pitcher. She was the longest active player with the team and she wanted to continue playing for the foreseeable future. Baseball took Amanda all over the world. She played in World Cups in Japan (twice), Taiwan, Venezuela, South Korea, Edmonton, and Florida. She traveled to Cuba (to play, coach, and promote women’s baseball there). One of her most recent events with Baseball Canada was in Aguascalientes Mexico where she helped a very young Team Canada to a bronze medal at a World Cup qualifying event. She also traveled all over North American with baseball. One of her proudest moments in baseball was to play with Team Canada at the Pan Am Games (the first time for women’s baseball in a multi sport event) in Toronto in 2015 (where the team won the silver medal). She played baseball for two 6-month stints in Australia (with the Footscray Baseball Club in Melbourne, the Victoria Aces, and others). She played baseball every opportunity she had (with the Men’s League in Prince George, with the Howe Sound Hounds in Vancouver, and others). She also would play slow pitch whenever anyone asked her to.

Amanda loved both winter and summer sports of all kinds. She loved to downhill ski, snowboard, cross country ski, snowshoe, swim, paddleboard, kayak, golf, and she would try anything that she was introduced to. She was always up for an adventure. 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 on Friday, February 11th, 2:00 pm, 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. Please use this link to join Amanda's service https://funeraweb.tv/en/diffusions/46544

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!