Ashley Cara Arnold's Obituary
Ashley Cara Arnold, age 44, of Fort Myers Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on December 13th, 2025. Ashley was born on June 1st, 1981, in New Jersey to Jeffery Arnold & Laney Arnold Kaplan. She was predeceased by both her parents, Laney in May 2009 and Jeff in May 2021.
Ashley & her family ventured down to Fort Myers Beach by way of the Bahamas in the early 90s on their 39-foot Sea Ray. She spent her early years at Mid-Island Marina and later moved to Hibiscus Street. She is an alumnus of Beach Elementary, Cypress Lake & Bonita Middle, and Cypress Lake High. After high school, she moved to Miami and attended St. Thomas University. After her health issues arose, she returned to Fort Myers with the hopes of eventually becoming a Park Ranger at Lovers Key State Park. Ashley was known for her infectious laughter, giant smile and adventurous spirit. If there was fun to be had, she would find it. She loved music, dancing and above all, spending time with family and friends.
Ashley’s life was enriched by her husband, Mark La Fave, who cared for her until the very end; her parents, Jeff & Laney, her sister, Rachel Arnold, nieces and nephews, Jeffery Farley, Gabriel Butcher, and Samantha Butcher; grandnieces & grandnephews, Karter, Kinsley & Kameron Farley; her Aunt Kimberley Komer-Kaplan, Uncle Roger Morin, and cousins, and of course her close circle of best friends. She was very proud that she remained close with her grade-school friends all throughout her life.
She cherished going to concerts, dancing to any kind of music, being outdoors and on the water. Although her time was too short, Ashley's spirit will live on through the many lives she touched with her generosity and wit.
The funeral will be held at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 10 AM to 1 PM with the service from 1 PM to 2 PM. Afterward, a celebration of Ashley’s life will be held outside their home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Harry Chapin Food Bank.
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