Aleta LaVone Sesay

Aleta LaVone Sesay was born on December 19, 1950 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Alvin and Betty Moore. She began her eternal rest in peace on Wednesday, January 1, 2014. Aleta graduated on June 1, 1970 from North High School in Des Moines, IA and entered Morningside College, in Sioux City, Iowa the following fall. It was there that she caught the eye of Chernoh Mohammed Sesay, whom she married a year later and spent the next 42 years of her life with. Together they raised three children; Dr. Chernoh Sesay Jr, Mariama Sesay-St. Paul and Abdulai St. Paul. Before she was a wife or a mother, Aleta Moore was a dedicated and caring daughter. She always deeply respected her mother and father, and while she could certainly put her brothers "in check," she always laughed loudly and easily with them.

Aleta was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in an era when MS was not easily diagnosed. After the birth of her first son, Chernoh, Jr. doctors advised Aleta that because of her condition, she should not have any more children. However, wanting more than one child, she gave birth to Mariama Malaika Sesay (St.Paul) on August 3, 1976 and Abdulai Sesay on April 14, 1979. Despite health conditions that prevented her from completing college, Aleta devoted herself to raising her children and being their number one teacher. She spent countless hours with each of her children practicing cursive hand writing, memorizing multiplication tables, reading books, giving cooking lessons and just showering them with love and affection.

The hurdles and pitfalls of life did not weary Aleta. They only made her more resolute. Although she never completed her undergraduate degree because of illness, she expressed her passion for children as a mother and as an early education teacher. Aleta, known by her husband and children as Neneh, loved each of her babies dearly. "Little Man," "Precious," and "Dapper Dan" were the nicknames she bestowed upon her children, and they are reflective of the unique relationships she had with each of them. As a wife Aleta was a woman of uncommon beauty and grace. As a mother, Neneh was a woman of compassion, and patience, and her patience must be emphasized. To her children she was a beacon of steadfast determination. She never let her health problems keep her from giving back to the world and its young people. For as long as she was able she was a Pre-K teacher at KinderCare and at a neighborhood day care center.

It is a rarity to know someone who, despite the heavy burdens of life, always radiates strength, determination, cheer and empathy. Aleta embodied and personified those traits. She gave strength to her husband in his times of need, she raised her children gently, she always brought smiles to the faces of friends, and she believed deeply that all of us must try our hardest to forgive and to treat everybody with respect, tenderness, and love.

Aleta was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Chernoh Sesay. She is survived by her mother, Betty Moore, her 7 brothers and 1 sister, her 3 children, her 2 grandchildren and a host of other family members and friends. She will truly be missed.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2014 from 10:00am to 11:00am. Funeral Service will begin at 11:00am. Location of the Visitation and Funeral are as follows Christ United Methodist Church 644 E. 27th Street , Paterson, NJ 07504 .

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