Alyssa Bane Owens

August 7, 1993 - June 10, 2024

Alyssa Cary Bane Owens, 30, of Toms Brook, VA passed away with her loved ones by her side at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, VA after a 15-month courageous fight against Acute Myeloid Leukemia on Monday June 10, 2024. 

Alyssa was born in Fairfax, VA on August 7, 1993, the daughter of Peter “Pete” Ashley and Janice “Jan” Montgomery Hodson Bane of Strasburg, VA.  Alyssa grew up on Pontzer Road in a house that was built with a strong foundation filled with family love. Memories were made on the mountain with her brother, Ryan Bane, and cousins Britanee Hodson Jett, Rebecca Sigler Mullins, Bradlee Hodson, Julia Sigler, and Baylee Hodson.  Anybody that knew Alyssa knew how important family was to her. Her whole life she loved deeply, and each family member felt that love. Alyssa and her family attended Round Hill Church of the Brethren in Toms Brook, VA.

Alyssa was born and raised bleeding purple, just like her Nana Donna C. Hodson. Alyssa attended Sandy Hook Elementary School, Signal Knob Middle School, and Strasburg High School. She learned the importance of her education from her Pawpaw John D. Hodson Sr. who was a former principal at Strasburg High School.  Alyssa was a successful athlete while attending Strasburg.  Alyssa was a setter for the volleyball team in the Fall and a strong thrower in the discus circle come the Spring.  Alyssa set and broke the school’s record for discus while in high school.  Not only was she a talented athlete, but she was also a compassionate teammate.  Alyssa has touched many lives through her support, commitment to her team, and always cheering others on.  Alyssa graduated from Strasburg High School in 2011 and proceeded to Eastern Mennonite University to major in Liberal Arts.  Breaking records didn’t end in high school. Alyssa broke the record for throwing hammer while in college for EMU and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC).  Alyssa graduated from EMU in 2016. 

Alyssa worked within Shenandoah County Public Schools following college as a Paraprofessional, JV Volleyball Coach, Volleyball Head Coach, and Special Education Teacher. Alyssa’s heart was pure gold.  She was an inspiration to many students, student athletes, and her colleagues.  Her presence comforted others, her smile was absolutely beautiful, and her laugh was contagious, simply a warm aura.  Alyssa always wanted to help those around her and make them not only be successful but feel successful.  Alyssa was continuing her education to get her master’s in education to be endorsed as a Special Education Teacher at her Alma Mater, Strasburg High School.  Alyssa was three classes away from getting her master’s through Radford University before her diagnosis.

Alyssa married Shawn Lee Owens of Toms Brook, VA on August 11, 2019.  The two created a beautiful family of their own. Hudson Lee Owens and Harlow Jane Owens are Shawn and Alyssa’s pride and joy.  Hudson is athletic, adventurous, outdoorsy, mesmerized with monster trucks, and loves Paw Patrol.  Harlow is caring, an avid reader, a mama’s girl, quite the eater of white cheddar popcorn, and loves her Curious George stuffed animal.  Hudson and Harlow were Alyssa’s world. Her kids will always know their mother’s love and the legacy she leaves behind through pictures, videos, and their family always talking about their precious mommy. 

Alyssa was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in March 2023. Alyssa received treatment at Winchester Medical Center and University of Virginia Hospital. During her 15-month battle, Alyssa fought with every fiber of her being with her mom by her side each day. She missed Hudson’s first day of preschool, Hudson’s fourth birthday, Harlow’s second birthday, and all the holidays with her whole family.  When Alyssa couldn’t be there, Alana Reynolds stepped in and loved Hudson and Harlow as if they were her own.  The family owes many thanks to Alana and her devotion to the family. The kids spent their evenings with Mommy through FaceTime.  Trial after trial was thrown her way, but she kept fighting for her sweet babies with grace and kindness. On November 9, 2023, Alyssa received a stem cell transplant from a donor that was a 10/10 match.  Post transplant, Alyssa and Jan lived in Charlottesville in a hotel for three months.  During that time, she developed Graft vs. Host Disease.  Her body experienced more than what most could endure.  In December, she was able to spend her last Christmas with her kids and husband in the hospital.  Alyssa continued to put one foot in front of the other for the weeks to come.  Alyssa struggled with fighting pneumonia in late March. She was admitted to Winchester and intubated due to respiratory failure.  Alyssa was then transferred to UVA. She wanted to share her dream with her mom after she woke up to tell everyone about her near-death experience.  During her time of being intubated, she experienced her life again being played like a story.  It led up to her standing in front of Heaven’s gates, knocking, and waiting in front of the beautiful sight before her.  Jan journaled Alyssa’s encounters, “Alyssa said she had to go to the bathroom again.  Kate came in and she transferred over with our help.  When she finished, she sat on the side of the bed.  She started hugging me asking if I knew how much she loved me. I told her as much as I love her. She then started talking about the dreams she was having when she was sleeping.  She said she dreamed of her high school and college days.  The whole time wondering if she would have Hudson and Harlow.  She said she was a model and worked at the rodeo.  She said she would push pause to try and get back.  She said at one point she was in Heaven and wanted to stay, but she wasn’t allowed in.  So, she kept looking for Hudson and Harlow. I then told her that one Friday night one of the NP’s came to me and said they were at a crossroads. They had to decide on what medicine to give you.  She said if she gave the med and it was the wrong one it would be really bad. We called your dad and Shawn back here after they had left. I told her they gave her the medicine and it was the right one. She said that’s when I must have been turned away.  I asked what it looked like, and she said there were large, Spanish-like wooden doors with fluffy clouds all around.”  Shortly after, Alyssa improved and was able to be taken off of the vent. The doctors were amazed at her strength and perseverance that she continued to show.  Alyssa was later discharged and returned home to be with her family, making more memories, until the cancer returned on Monday May 20, 2024. On Thursday June 6, 2023, her doctor told her parents and husband that her children needed to come say their goodbyes so Alyssa could still remember their visit.  That day and the following days her whole family came to get one more hug, one more “I love you”, and to tell Alyssa that her kids will be taken care of.  Alyssa felt this love, reassurance, and told each person how much they meant to her as well.

Alyssa learned about a mother’s love from her own. She loved her community and her family beyond what words can express.  As her earthly moments were coming to a close, her cousin, Julia, was rubbing her foot.  The family was brought to tears reading the tattoo displayed across her right foot, “Other things may change us, but we start and end with family.” 

Alyssa was predeceased by her maternal grandmother, Donna Aileen Cunningham Hodson; her paternal grandparents, Howard Thomas Bane and Anita Jane Mattingly Bane, and cousin, Patrick Ryan “Packy” Purcell.

Alyssa is survived by her husband, Shawn Lee Owens, son, Hudson Lee Owens, and daughter Harlow Jane Owens, all of Toms Brook; her parents, Peter Ashley “Pete” Bane and Jan Montgomery Hodson Bane of Strasburg; brother Sgt. Ryan Michael Bane, U.S. Army, his wife Kayla Corathers Bane, and children Laken Grace, Baylor Ryan, and Laynie Saige; mother-in-law Connie S. Owens and partner James S. Broadberry; father-in-law Gerald L. Owens and wife Christy L. Owens; and sister-in-law Kayla L. Owens. Also surviving are her Maternal Grandfather, John Dale Hodson, Sr.; aunts and uncles:  Cary Gale Hodson Sigler and husband Robert Lee of Edinburg; and John Dale “Jody” Hodson, Jr. and wife Denise Jane Runion Hodson of Toms Brook; Philip and Mary Ellen “Ellie” Despirito Bane from Vienna; Christopher “Chris” and Patricia Quarti Bane from Vienna; Janita Marie Bane Purcell and husband Patrick from Herndon; and Bethany Bane Siegrist and husband Paul from Bristow. Cousins: Rebecca Sigler Mullins, husband Derek and their infant daughter Rosslyn; Julia Gayle Sigler and partner Chase Kerns; Yorielys “JoJo” Cadiz Diaz; Britanee Dawn Hodson Jett, husband Jeff Kreigh Jett II, and children Conley Fisher and Briar Mae; Bradlee John Hodson and wife Jymi Saleen Rudolph Hodson; Baylee Louise Hodson; Josh Bane and partner Kayla Mejias; Evan Siegrist, wife Zsazsa, and their children Owen, Michael, and Heidi; Lee Siegrist; Ashley Purcell Shimer, husband Nicholas, and daughters Samantha and Charlotte; and Sean Purcell, wife Kirstin, and children James Ryan “JR” and Sloane.

A funeral service for Alyssa will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 19, 2024, in the new gymnasium at Strasburg High School with Pastor Beverly Funkhouser officiating.  Burial will follow at Round Hill Church of the Brethren Cemetery in Toms Brook, VA.  Please consider carpooling to the cemetery as parking is limited at Round Hill Church of the Brethren Cemetery. 
Active Pallbearers will Ryan Bane, Brandon Ritter, JJ Worker, Matt Hiserman, Tripp Lamb, Will Hummel, Anthony LaSalla, and Gavin Lill.

Honorary Pallbearers: Bradlee Hodson, Chase Kerns, Derek Mullins, Patrick Desbois, and Mark Pearson.

The family ask that expressions of sympathy be in the form of Memorial Contributions to the Alyssa Bane Owens Memorial Scholarship Fund.  Please make donations payable to Strasburg High School.  

Please pray for the family, especially her children. Hudson told the family that Mommy flew to Heaven in a flying race car. Race strong, Mama. We love you. We promise to raise your kids knowing you.  Forever in her “Mama Era”, Alyssa Cary Bane Owens & Family.

You may sign the online guestbook and submit condolences to the family at www.stoverfuneralhome.com. 

Stover Funeral Home and Crematory, Strasburg, VA is serving the family of Alyssa Bane Owens.