On January 9, 2013, Jeanette Marie Finney passed away peacefully at age 52, following a two year battle with breast cancer. She was born in Camden, New Jersey, and the youngest of three children. She served eight consecutive years in the Air Force, then transitioned to the Army for another five years. 

After finishing her military service, she earned her bachelor’s degree and accepted a lead project manager position for ICF International. Jeanette was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011; she continued to work with ICF International during this period.  A year later, cancer continued to spread, ultimately metastasizing to her brain.

Besides being a dedicated fitness fanatic and having a healthy food epicure, Jeanette was a true Christian example and a devoted mother to David Finney Jr. She worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for her son. She always preached: “Do what’s right and do what’s good. Be kind and help others. The world can always use one more kind person.” Her life was a living example of her favorite bible verse, Ephesians 4:32 – “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” 

She cared deeply for her family and friends, and she did this not out of obligation, but because of who she was. She was always the first to offer help and regularly brought meals to homeless shelters and friends in need. She loved her community and devoted her life to giving back to others. People remember her as a beautiful, kind, and positive person. Her joy for life and indomitable spirit kept her pushing through the pain.

Andrew John “AJ” Slye was a 2012 graduate of North Stafford High School.  A favorite amongst his classmates and teachers, AJ was a great student and a tenacious athlete on the baseball diamond and football field.  He was a young man with strong character, piercing blue eyes, and an infectious smile.  Upon returning home from his first semester at Salisbury University, AJ was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a rare form of blood cell cancer.  His fight to beat cancer began at the University of Virginia Hospital, transitioned to John’s Hopkins Hospital and unfortunately ended on February 27, 2014 at the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Over 14 months, multiple rounds of chemotherapy, radiation and a bone marrow transplant reduced AJ’s body from a strong, fit football player to a thin, battle-weary shell of a young man.  But cancer did not touch this warrior’s heart which steadily grew stronger.  Through every setback he faced, his trust and faith in God became deeper and his resolve became ever-increasing.  His spirit and that infectious smile incredibly united and inspired an entire community.  The SLYESTRONG#6 Foundation was created to honor and remember AJ and to give back to a community that supported and joined AJ in his heroic fight and eternal victory over death.   

While St Jude, AJ had ups and many downs.  He would never let the downs get to him.  One day the doctor came in with yet more bad news.  When he told AJ the news, AJ just smiled at him and said, “We got this!”  The doctor said, “AJ, we come in here day after day and tell you more and more bad news.  We have thrown everything at you.  Yet, you ALWAYS have that smile on your face.”  AJ said, “I can either go through this and be miserable, or I can go through it with a smile on my face.  Either way, I’m going through it and being miserable isn’t going to help anything!”

Also, while at St Jude after he experienced a relapse of his disease, AJ met a man named Teb.  Teb came to our room one day as a request from a friend of ours to prayer over AJ.  I wasn’t sure how AJ was going to take that.  He and Teb became very, very close.  I believe that Teb was sent by God to lead AJ to Him.  AJ’s faith grew so deep so fast.  It was definitely a miracle.