Obituary for Jessica Ann Finlayson
Jessica Ann Finlayson of Whitehall, 28, passed away on January 22nd , 2021 at her parents’ home, surrounded by her loved ones after a courageous battle with brain cancer. She was born on March 19th, 1992 and a graduate of Emmaus High School and earned a Math degree at Lebanon Valley College. She was an 8th grade math teacher at Northampton Middle School and head Varsity coach of Northampton girls High School volleyball team. When not coaching, she played volleyball on indoor and outdoor leagues and tournaments around the Lehigh Valley. She received her master’s degree in December 2019 while teaching, coaching and going through cancer treatments. In 2020, she continued to take graduate classes and aspired to become a Math curriculum writer.
Jess’s first job was at the Inside Scoop Ice Cream shop where she learned to make ice cream, which she loved. She also loved dogs and became a “dog Mom” to Lexi 3½ years ago after buying her own home, where she resided with the other love of her life, Tyler Smith. An avid skier, she frequently went to Blue Mountain and on family ski trips. Jess loved going to her parent’s lake house at Lake Hauto and enjoyed boating, swimming, water skiing, reading and playing volleyball on the beach. Jess loved country music and attended the Country Music festival in Nashville annually. Playing games was her passion and as her family and friends can attest, she was extremely competitive and did not like to lose at anything. Her smile and positive attitude for life was contagious.
Jess is survived by her parents Norman Finlayson and his wife Eileen, Jean Dalstad and her husband Erik, siblings Erinne Finlayson, Kevin Finlayson, and Becca Dalstad; her boyfriend Tyler Smith, her dog Lexi, and a huge family of aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved her dearly.
Friends may call on Saturday, January 30th from 9am to 11:30am at Bethany Church 3801 Brookside Road, Macungie. Face masks and social distancing will be required. A private family service will be at 12pm, however it can be viewed online at bethanyumchurch.com/watch.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to a scholarship fund to be given to future volleyball players and/or math students at Northampton Area School District. Checks can be made payable to: "Jess Finlayson Memorial Scholarship Fund" and mailed to:
Northampton Area School District Administration Office, 2014 Laubach Avenue, Northampton, PA 18067
OR donations may be made to the National Brain Tumor Society, braintumor.org
OR to the American Brain Tumor Association, abta.org.
In 2020, a virtual Race for Hope walk/run/ride was held in honor of “Team Jess” and the plan is to continue this tradition for many years to come. To offer online condolences and to see her Memorial Video, please visit her “Book of Memories” at falkfuneralhomes.com.
Jess’s first job was at the Inside Scoop Ice Cream shop where she learned to make ice cream, which she loved. She also loved dogs and became a “dog Mom” to Lexi 3½ years ago after buying her own home, where she resided with the other love of her life, Tyler Smith. An avid skier, she frequently went to Blue Mountain and on family ski trips. Jess loved going to her parent’s lake house at Lake Hauto and enjoyed boating, swimming, water skiing, reading and playing volleyball on the beach. Jess loved country music and attended the Country Music festival in Nashville annually. Playing games was her passion and as her family and friends can attest, she was extremely competitive and did not like to lose at anything. Her smile and positive attitude for life was contagious.
Jess is survived by her parents Norman Finlayson and his wife Eileen, Jean Dalstad and her husband Erik, siblings Erinne Finlayson, Kevin Finlayson, and Becca Dalstad; her boyfriend Tyler Smith, her dog Lexi, and a huge family of aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved her dearly.
Friends may call on Saturday, January 30th from 9am to 11:30am at Bethany Church 3801 Brookside Road, Macungie. Face masks and social distancing will be required. A private family service will be at 12pm, however it can be viewed online at bethanyumchurch.com/watch.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to a scholarship fund to be given to future volleyball players and/or math students at Northampton Area School District. Checks can be made payable to: "Jess Finlayson Memorial Scholarship Fund" and mailed to:
Northampton Area School District Administration Office, 2014 Laubach Avenue, Northampton, PA 18067
OR donations may be made to the National Brain Tumor Society, braintumor.org
OR to the American Brain Tumor Association, abta.org.
In 2020, a virtual Race for Hope walk/run/ride was held in honor of “Team Jess” and the plan is to continue this tradition for many years to come. To offer online condolences and to see her Memorial Video, please visit her “Book of Memories” at falkfuneralhomes.com.