Alysia Pauline Vesley

Alysia Pauline Vesley, age 55, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 24, 2024. She was born in New York City and grew up in Wayne, NJ.

From a young age, Alysia had a love for life and everything it had to offer. At just 2 years old she was already singing the lyrics to several songs far ahead of her peers. She also learned to read at a remarkably young age and that blossomed into a passion for books that never stopped.

She didn’t stop there as she found herself getting involved in everything she could dream. Alysia was a ballet dancer, a Gold Award winner for the Girl Scouts of America, a gymnast, soccer player, skier, bowler, tennis player, saxophonist, clarinetist, and even performed in the marching band. She loved to compete and wanted that opportunity for everyone. She played PAL soccer throughout grammar school, but when she was just an 8th grade student about to matriculate to Wayne Hills High School, she discovered the absence of a girls’ soccer team. Most 8th graders would have accepted that reality but not Alysia. She decided to take the initiative and start a petition to create a girls soccer team at her school. She had the entire PAL soccer division sign along with neighbors and everyone willing to hear her out. The petition was a success and the future Wayne Hills girls’ soccer players owe their thanks to her trailblazing efforts.

After high school, Alysia attended Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa before transferring to William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ to study Political Science. She found a calling in that field and was even inducted into the William Paterson University Political Science Honors Society. That degree resulted in an internship under United States Representative Bill Pascrell!

Those who were fortunate to get to know Alysia will remember her for her endlessly kind demeanor and her ability to light up a room with her presence. She was outgoing and patient giving her a knack for making friends everywhere she went. She loved reading (Scandinavian noir novels and Janet Evanovich’s female bounty hunter novels), music and concerts like Led Zeppelin, the New York Giants, and going to the beach. She has fond memories of travel visiting Alaska, Florida, Bermuda and Cancun, Mexico with her grandma. 

Alysia is survived by her parents Hilda MacLean and Brian Vesley; her stepmom Catherine Scott; her siblings Amy Vesley and Keith Vesley; her stepsister Cat McManus; her niece Julia Vesley; and her loving partner Rob Noss. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Alysia’s memory to the American Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated.