Alyssa Jane Foss

Dr. Alyssa Jane Foss (Hurtubise), 43, passed away at her home on the evening of March 11, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Alyssa was born on June 14, 1982 —Flag Day— in Rumford, Maine. In a twist of fate she always loved sharing, she was born on the exact same day and year as her husband, Ethan, who likes to remind everyone that he is technically a few hours older.
Growing up in Rumford, Alyssa lived in the lively Strathglass Park neighborhood and spent her summers adventuring between Roxbury Pond, Worthley Pond, and Rangeley Lake with her beloved cousins. When her younger siblings were born, she was a natural caretaker and fierce protector. As a member of the Gorham family, it was only fitting that her first job was waitressing at Teena’s Restaurant, a training that served her well for the next 15 years.
She attended St. Athanasius & St. John School and Mountain Valley Middle and High School before continuing on to St. Joseph’s College of Maine in Standish, where her leadership and enthusiasm quickly became evident. Alyssa organized and founded the college’s cheer team - proudly cheering on the Monks and earning her the nickname “Fearless Flyer.” At St. Joe’s she also found some of the most important people in her life: her beloved group of friends known as the “Suite Q Girls,” and the man who would eventually become her husband.
After college, Alyssa moved to Tampa, Florida, where she began her career in education with Hillsborough County Public Schools. Education was not simply a profession for Alyssa - it was a calling. She had a deep passion for mathematics education and curriculum development and firmly believed that every child is capable of learning and thriving in math when given the right support and encouragement.
Early in her career she convinced her college best friend (and former high school cheer rival) Shanann to move to Florida and teach alongside her. Alyssa’s classroom was affectionately nicknamed “Peanut Butter,” while Shanann’s became “Jelly.” The two educators developed a teaching partnership so seamless that colleagues and students alike simply referred to them as “Peanut Butter and Jelly.” During this time Alyssa was recognized as Teacher of the Year, a reflection of the passion and energy she brought to her students every day.
Shanann, along with Jessica and Vanessa, would become the women Alyssa lovingly called her “soulies.” Their bond ran deeper than friendship - they were true soulmates in life. From the earliest days of Alyssa and Ethan’s relationship they welcomed him into their circle as family, and through every chapter of life they remained a constant source of love, strength, laughter, and unwavering support.
Alyssa went on to teach, coach, and mentor educators across the country—even rekindling her love for cheer along the way as a middle school coach in Merrimack, New Hampshire. As a teacher, math coach, and curriculum leader, she guided teachers, shaped instruction, and made a lasting impact on the students, schools, and districts she served.
Whenever she presented, people were captivated by her clarity and conviction. Friends loved to tease that she was giving “TED Talks,” because she could inspire any room to embrace the concepts she believed in so deeply with nothing more than a few PowerPoint slides.
In April 2009, while attending a conference in Washington, D.C.—one she would later return to as a speaker—Alyssa reconnected with an old college friend, Ethan Foss. From that moment on, their connection was undeniable. What followed was a life together filled with adventure, laughter, and an unwavering partnership.
Their journey together took them across the country and back—more than once—living in the Washington, D.C. area, New Hampshire, Florida, San Francisco, Maine, Florida again, Rhode Island, and, eventually, back to Florida once more. Of all the places they lived, San Francisco would always hold a special place in their hearts. It was there that they welcomed their first son, Jack, into the world.
Alyssa lived a life of adventure and was never afraid to take risks. She followed opportunities wherever they led, chasing both professional dreams and life experiences with fearless enthusiasm.
Outside of the classroom, Alyssa found peace and joy in running. It was her happy place - her escape. She ran marathons and competed in triathlons across the country, including races in San Diego, Virginia Beach, Nashville, and Tampa’s Gasparilla, along with countless 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons. She even inspired Ethan to start running alongside her.
She also shared a deep connection with the beach, where sunsets were her favorite daily ritual. Alyssa never missed the chance to stop, look toward the horizon, and remind everyone around her to take in the beauty of the moment. She often told Ethan, “I love you like sunsets.”
Alyssa’s greatest joy in life was being a mother. She and Ethan built a family centered on love, curiosity, and adventure with their two precious boys: Jack William Foss (8) and Jude Harrison Foss (4). Her boys were the light of her life, and she poured her boundless energy and heart into raising them.
In 2017, Alyssa completed her doctorate in curriculum development through the University of Phoenix, a milestone that reflected both her dedication to education and her relentless drive to make a difference for students.
In the fall of 2024, Alyssa joined Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School (SSES) in Bradenton, Florida, as a seventh-grade math teacher. From the very beginning, the Saint Stephen’s community welcomed Alyssa and her family with extraordinary warmth - helping ensure that Jack and Jude’s transition to a new school was filled with encouragement, care, and a true sense of belonging. Alyssa quickly found not only a workplace, but a community that shared her belief in supporting and uplifting every child.
Just weeks after arriving, Alyssa was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer that rapidly spread. Throughout her illness and through her passing, the Saint Stephen’s community stood beside Alyssa, Ethan, Jack, and Jude with unwavering love and support. Their kindness, generosity, and friendship carried the Foss family through their most difficult days and continues to surround them today. The Foss family will forever be grateful for the compassion and care shown by the Saint Stephen’s family. During Alyssa’s journey, a small pink flamingo quietly became a symbol of love and support within the community - a bright reminder of resilience, individuality, and the way Alyssa’s spirit brought people together.
Throughout her life Alyssa had an extraordinary ability to make people feel seen, valued, and deeply loved. She had a generous heart, an incredible listening ear, and a gift for encouraging others to believe in themselves. Alyssa had a remarkable way of inviting people into her world and making them feel like they belonged there. Many who loved her often said she helped them become braver, happier, and more fully themselves simply by being part of her life.
Whether cheering from the sidelines, mentoring a colleague, offering thoughtful advice, or opening her home to a friend in need, Alyssa lifted people up and made them feel brave enough to take the leap.
She was a cheerleader in every sense of the word—not just in uniform, but in spirit.
Alyssa leaves behind a large and loving family. She is survived by her husband, Ethan Foss, and their sons Jack and Jude, who will carry forward her spirit of curiosity, kindness, and determination.
She is also survived by her father, Dana Hurtubise and his wife Deb, and by her mother, Deb Gorham.
She is also survived by her siblings Hanson, Addy, Danielle, and Erika, who loved their big sister deeply - and looked up to her even though she was the shortest of them all.
She is also survived by her cousins and lifelong companions Meghan and Bethany, who grew up beside her and loved her like a sister, along with the many nieces and nephews who adored their “Auntie Delisha” and always felt treasured by her.
She is also survived by her cherished “soulies,” Shan, Jess, and Ness, whose lifelong friendship with Alyssa was rooted in deep love, loyalty, and the kind of bond that felt more like family than friendship.
She is also survived by her loving mother-in-law Rosemary Mathews and father-in-law Norm, who cherished Alyssa as family from the moment she entered their lives.
Her sister Addy has long been a constant source of love and support for Jack and Jude, caring for them, guiding them, and standing beside their family every step of the way. With unwavering devotion, she continues to help ensure that Alyssa’s love, compassion, and spirit will always surround the boys as they grow.
Alyssa was preceded in death by her father, Joseph “Papa Joe” Gorham, who passed away just days before her.
But if you asked Alyssa what mattered most in her life, the answer was always the same: Jack and Jude.
She loved being their mom more than anything in the world. From bedtime stories to big adventures, she built a life around watching her boys grow, learn, laugh, and discover who they would become. She filled their world with curiosity, kindness, and encouragement, always reminding them that they were capable of anything if they worked hard and cared for others.
Jack and Jude - your mom was extraordinary. She believed in you with her whole heart and was endlessly proud to be your mother. As you grow, carry her spirit with you - in your kindness, your courage, and your curiosity about the world. The greatest part of Alyssa’s story lives on in you.
Whenever you miss her, step outside, close your eyes, and feel the warmth of the sun on your face. That warmth is your mom right there with you, holding you close and reminding you that every little thing is going to be alright.
And somewhere beyond our sight, Papa Joe is surely holding court again - welcoming his beloved daughter with open arms. While their reunion brings comfort to those who loved them, Alyssa’s love and guidance will forever remain with the two boys who were the center of her world.
A Celebration of Life for Alyssa will be held on Thursday, March 26 at 4:00 PM at Christ Episcopal Church in Bradenton. We invite all who knew and loved her to come together, share stories, and honor the incredible life she lived.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School, with our deepest gratitude for the love and kindness they showed our family throughout this journey. If you feel called to support the family more directly, meals can be coordinated through a Meal Train, and contributions may be made through a GoFundMe to support Jack and Jude.
More than anything, we hope you will share your memories of Alyssa and continue to carry her love and kindness forward.
https://gofund.me/c3e604c6d
https://mealtrain.com/wmy62w