Jessica Ann Finlayson, 28, of Whitehall, died Jan. 22, 2021, at her parents’ home, after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

She was a daughter of Norman and his wife Eileen Finlayson and Jean Dalstad and her husband Erik.

She was a graduate of Emmaus High School and earned a math degree at Lebanon Valley College. 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.

She was an eighth-grade math teacher at Northampton Area Middle School and head varsity coach of Northampton Area High School girls volleyball team. Previously, she worked at the Inside Scoop Ice Cream Shop.

When not coaching, she played volleyball on indoor and outdoor leagues and tournaments around the Lehigh Valley.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by three siblings, Erinne Finlayson, Kevin Finlayson and Becca Dalstad; her boyfriend, Tyler Smith; aunts; uncles; and cousins.

There will be a visitation 9-11:30 a.m., followed by a private family service, Jan. 30 at Bethany Church, 3801 Brookside Road, Macungie. Face masks and social distancing will be required. The noon private service can be viewed online at bethanyumchurch.com/watch.

Contributions can be made to the National Brain Tumor Society or American Brain Tumor Association. 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.