JEFFERSONVILLE - Forsee, Aleesa Marie, 35, came into the world on April 4, 1978, in Louisville. On October 10, 2013, Aleesa passed away after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

Aleesa, the first daughter of Michael and Kendra Forsee of Jeffersonville, attended Wilson Elementary until her family, including her little sister, Kari, relocated to Beaufort, SC in 1987. Aleesa, always the performer, developed a passion for music and theater while living in Beaufort. She stole the show as "Scout" in a local production of To Kill a Mockingbird and got her first taste of Hollywood as an extra in several movies including Forrest Gump.

In 1995, Aleesa graduated from Beaufort High School and enrolled at Indiana University Southeast. Aleesa was a proud member of Phi Sigma Sigma sorority and co-president of the Student Education Association. Aleesa graduated with a B.A. in speech-communication, a B.S. in secondary English education/speech-theatre, and eventually, a M.S. in English education.

From 2003 to 2007, Aleesa taught English at New Albany High School and coached the Speech team. Then, Aleesa returned to Beaufort to teach English at Lady's Island Middle School and became the school's head cheerleading coach. She taught the Lady Cougars jumps and stunts, but most importantly, she stressed the importance of self-confidence and spunk.

After becoming certified to teach English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Aleesa's desire to be closer to family and friends led her to Elizabethtown, KY, where she became the ESOL instructor at G.C. Burkhead Elementary School and cheerleading coach at John Hardin High School.

Aleesa's difficult battle with brain cancer didn't stop her from completing the 2012-2013 school year. She never forgot her commitment to her students or her will to live. She will forever be remembered as the girl who loved teaching, Hello Kitty, and had a mega-watt smile that was equal parts mischievous and magnificent.

Aleesa is survived by her parents, Michael and Kendra Forsee; sister, Kari Forsee and her husband, Tony Iweagwu, of Chicago, IL; grandparents, Herbert and Glenna Barker, of Jeffersonville; grandmother, Bettie Forsee, of Clarksville, IN; beloved Dachshund, Ace; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

She is preceded in death by her grandfather, Melvin "Sonny" Forsee.

A gathering to celebrate Aleesa's life will be held in Jeffersonville. The date and time are to be determined. Arrangements: Scott funeral home of Jeffersonville.

In lieu of flowers, please reach out and help public school teachers through DonorsChoose.org.

Published in The Courier-Journal on Oct. 13, 2013