Alyssa B. Cahoon

PFC Alyssa Beth Cahoon, 17, Pleasant Mount, died August 25th at Prisma Health Richland Hospital, Columbia SC from a rare heart rhythm abnormality.

Born April 7, 2005, she is the daughter of Stephen and Susan Decker Cahoon, Pleasant Mount. A senior at Forest City Regional High School, Aly was a well-rounded student and athlete. She enjoyed playing basketball and volleyball with her teammates at FCR. She loved animals, cooking, baking, organizing and learning new things. Alyssa wrote music and poetry. She was a self-taught guitarist and sang in the choir. She loved art and made many shirt designs for school functions. Aly studied martial arts and earned a black belt in Tang Soo Do from Northern Wayne Karate. She had completed 15 college credits prior to her senior year.

Excited to serve our country, Alyssa and her twin sister Brianna joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Basic Combat Training took her to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where she was made squad leader. Under her leadership, her platoon earned several awards. Before PFC Alyssa Cahoon passed away, she graduated from basic training and received many honors.

Aly loved what she was doing and learning at basic training, and the Army molded her into the leader we knew she was. We are thankful for the Army family we have gained. They have been wonderful and supportive.

Alyssa is also survived by a twin sister Brianna, brothers Caelum and Deegan Cahoon; paternal grandparents, Kenneth and Barbara Cahoon; maternal grandparents, David and Donna Decker; paternal uncles and aunt: Paul and Christina Trimble and Nathan Cahoon; maternal uncles and aunts: Josh and Lorie Sheard; Andy and Jennifer Kavalecs; John and Cara Decker; Matt and Becky Golab; and numerous cousins.

Visitation will be Saturday September 24th, from 8:00am to 11:00am at the Forest City Regional High School auditorium. Funeral service will start promptly at 11:30 am followed by military honors. Interment will be private. Local arrangements are entrusted to the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main Street, Forest City.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Aly's Treasured Heart, c/o The Dime Bank, PO Box 499, Hawley, PA 18428 or it can be dropped off at any Dime Bank location. Funds received will help to further research of Early Repolarization Syndrome, the condition shared by Alyssa, Brianna and Susan.

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