Ava's Life in Photos

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Ava Crews was born on October 14, 2007. From the moment she arrived, it was clear that Ava's life was destined to be extraordinary. She lived with beauty and grace, always standing up for what was right, loving wholeheartedly, and fiercely remaining loyal to those she cherished. Her friendships meant everything to her, with many of her closest friends by her side since kindergarten. Ava saved every card she received and dried the flowers gifted to her, displaying them in a treasured place in her room. She adored flowers and cherished the handwritten sentiments from her friends and family. The treasures Ava showcased reflected her appreciation for the love she shared with others, a testament to Ava's legacy. 

Throughout Ava's life, she was fortunate to have an incredible group of family members, mentors, teachers, coaches, and role models. She attended Chickadee Montessori for preschool, then moved to Sauvie Island School, where she graduated from eighth grade alongside a small class of friends, before continuing on to Scappoose High School. Ava's sister and parents were her world, along with the many other people who contributed to shaping the remarkable young woman we all adored. She cherished time spent with her cousins, aunts, uncles, Papa, Babi, Grammy, Grampa, and Grandma, all of whom took immense pride in her. However, it was her little sister Lolo who held the most special place in Ava's heart. From the moment Lolo was born, Ava embraced her role as a big sister, caring for and sharing the spotlight with her, often using her as a prop during her impromptu living-room performances. Despite their almost six-year age difference, Ava's love for Lolo never wavered as she navigated her teenage years.

Ava was a talented equestrian, gaining valuable experiences during her time in the barn. As a longtime member of 4H, she qualified for state-level competitions in both 4H and the Oregon High School Equestrian Team. For Ava, it was about mastering her skills, spending quality time with her mom, and enjoying fun moments with her horse girls. She passed her passion for horses to Lolo, trusting her to care for her beloved horse, Joey. Ava also prioritized her health, regularly working out at the gym, enjoying healthy foods, Kombucha, and Immunity Shots, while embracing a natural lifestyle. Yet, she loved indulging in treats like Trader Joe’s Takis, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Taco Bell Nacho Fries, Ferrero Rocher, and ranch-flavored corn nuts with her friends. We never had to ask Ava to clean her room because she took pride in keeping it organized and beautiful, just like her. She was particularly proud of her Ford Ranger, Sapphire, which made her easily recognizable around town.

Ava's life was filled with joy. She loved attending live music events, singing in the car with her dad, and enjoying brunch or catching a play with her mom. Much of her childhood was spent visiting beaches and exploring the rivers, lakes, and mountains of Oregon and Washington with her family, especially the Deschutes River, one of Ava's favorites. She had a passion for travel, particularly to warm beach destinations. Ava's adventures took her to Thailand, Arizona, New York City, the Florida Keys, Las Vegas, Disneyland, and earlier this year, she experienced a wonderful trip to Costa Rica with her dad. She had dreams of traveling the world and was planning a European adventure for her senior trip. Ava found joy in simple pleasures with her friends, such as trips to Crumbl Cookie and Salt n Straw, shopping, relaxing on the beach, enjoying sushi, visiting “the bins,” and simply hanging out in her room. Her friends felt at home at our house, never needing to knock before entering.

Ava worked at an afterschool program for kids five days a week, a job she loved deeply. In the short time she spent there, she made a significant impact on her students and colleagues, driven by her passion for supporting the positive mental health of young people. Ava dreamed of studying Child Psychology at the University of Oregon.

Tragically, Ava lost her life on May 18, 2025, in a Utility Terrain Vehicle accident at just 17 years old. She is profoundly missed by everyone who knew her, and we are committed to honoring Ava's legacy and the beautiful life she led.