TOWN OF NEWBURGH – The first thing that flashed through Lisa Vance-Ayers’ mind when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer last August was her 11-year-old son, Bobby.
She wondered whether she would be alive to see him graduate from high school.
How would her beloved husband of 17 years, Jason, cope without her?
“I was terrified, and I didn’t want to leave them,” said Vance-Ayers, who has served as the Town of Newburgh clerk since 2022. “I knew Stage 4 was not a good diagnosis, and you think of the worst. My main question for my doctor was, ‘What does this all mean?’”
Stage 4 ovarian cancer is considered advanced disease, but a year after her diagnosis, Vance-Ayers is in remission, according to her doctor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, gynecologic oncologist Yukio Sonoda.
During her cancer battle, Vance-Ayers continued working as clerk with the support of her deputy, Dominique Rivera, Records Clerk Barbara Fields and other staff members.
“Lisa’s hard work and devotion to our town have always been evident, but the courage and determination she has shown through her illness is truly inspiring,” Town of Newburgh Supervisor Gil Piaquadio said. “She has continued to serve others with grace and strength, and our community is fortunate to have her.”
According to the American Cancer Society, about 21,010 women in the United States will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year, while 12,450 will die from the disease. A Stage 4 diagnosis generally means the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body.
Vance-Ayers, 46, said her cancer had spread to her appendix and lymph nodes. Shortly after her diagnosis, she began chemotherapy and underwent a full hysterectomy.
During treatment, Vance-Ayers worked remotely while overseeing the clerk’s office. She later returned to the office full-time while continuing treatment.
Vance-Ayers said she is now in remission and undergoing what she described as preventive treatment. Asked about her strength and resilience, she said her family and the job she takes so much pride in, serving town residents each day, have been her inspiration.
“There were some scary moments, but I never thought about stepping away,” Vance-Ayers said. “I had to figure out a way to work it out, and I did with the help of an amazing staff. They always had my back, and I will always be grateful for the support I have received from the town and its residents.”
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