Alison Christine Kessler

Alison Christine (Cavanaugh) Kessler, 35, of Denver Colorado passed away suddenly May 10, 2024 at Rose Hospital with family by her side.

Alison was born July 1, 1988 in Denver, Colorado to Mark Peter Cavanaugh and Valerie Lynn (Ackerson) Cavanaugh.

She grew up in Littleton with the family adding daughter and sister Hilary 19 months later.

Alison’s formative years were centered in Littleton, Colorado. Alison brought sunlight into any room. From a young age, she exuded qualities of kindness, warmth, and thoughtfulness. Alison played many sports including: soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, golf, tennis and swim team. Alison also grew up in the Littleton United Methodist Church family.

Alison graduated from Heritage High School in 2006 in the top of her class and was inducted into the Wall of Fame for her success on the Women’s Golf Team. Alison was known for her bright smile, friendliness and ability to create teamwork and inclusivity. Alison was considered like a sister to many of her friends; the best type of sister, never competing or jealous but celebrating wins together. Thus, Alison was a natural leader, often leading by example.

Alison went on to attend the University of Iowa as a scholarship student athlete competing on the Women’s Golf Team and achieving academic honors such as the Big Ten All Academic Dean’s List. Alison’s Golf accolades include the Tigerhawk Award for the team member who worked the hardest through out the season, competing in the Women’s Amateur Championship in 2009 and was the Iowa Golf Team captain. After graduation from Iowa in 2010 Alison moved back to Denver to begin her career.

While at Iowa, Alison met her future husband, Eric Kessler. From early on, Alison and Eric’s relationship was the perfect mix of love, friendship, adoration and joy.

In early 2014 Alison was hospitalized with auto-immune disease Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) which she conquered with strength and determination. This is only one example of how Alison possessed an incredible personal resilience and the ability to learn from adversity and shine her light toward a brighter future. In recent years Alison had adopted the mantra “Be Brave” which she shared often with others including son William.

Alison walked down the aisle and danced at her wedding to Eric Kessler on August 30, 2014. The wedding was a joyous celebration surrounded by family and friends. Throughout their marriage, Alison and Eric celebrated each other and formed a loving partnership. In their relationship, Alison was not only loving and affectionate, but supportive, full of respect and compassionate. Alison was the best wife. Alison was always proud of Eric and the life that they were building together.

Alison began her rewarding career at IHS in 2009, where she held roles in many areas including acquisitions, finance, customer experience, and product management. While working full time, Alison also received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Denver Daniels College of Business in 2015 graduating with honors. At IHS Alison's roles and impact grew over time, leading a team responsible for the "crown jewel" of the company's SaaS product portfolio which serves 600,000+ technical professionals around the world. Alison led her team at IHS through their acquisition by S&P Global, and ultimate purchase by KKR into a stand alone private company, Accuris. Alison ended her career as the Head of Product for Accuris.

To her colleagues and friends at work, Alison was a friend, mentor and brilliant product leader. Her energy, enthusiasm, integrity and intelligence were inspiring, gaining her many friends and supporters at IHS. Alison was also an advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion and championed the founding of a Women's Network at IHS. In the spring of 2024, Alison was recognized with the prestigious Presidential Award from Accuris acknowledging her outstanding contributions.  Alison was also committed to providing access to nature for people of all abilities, their families and caregivers - serving as President of Wilderness on Wheels from 2015 to present.

In 2021 Alison and Eric were blessed with a son, William Joseph Kessler, and were looking forward to growing their family. As a mother, she embodied the best of qualities such as unconditional love, strength of spirit and unending generosity that was felt by her family and friends. She had so much love to give and cherished being a mother.

Alison was always thoughtful and present, wanting to create moments and memories and finding joy in time spent together. Alison’s warmth and smile always made you feel seen, appreciated, and understood. Alison’s love language was spending quality time together, and she exhibited this often by creating intentional and magical moments with her family and friends. Whether it was a handwritten letter or her signature move of a shaken up spray from a bottle of bubbly, she helped create the exclamation point on the celebration or occasion.

God’s light shone brightly through Alison. Her life with us created a rich tapestry of memories to cherish. Memories of Alison will forever be a bright guiding light and beacon of hope.

Alison is survived by her husband Eric Nathan Kessler, her son William Joseph Kessler; her parents Mark and Valerie Cavanaugh of Littleton, CO, her sister Hilary (Cavanaugh) Pherribo, husband Alex Pherribo of Seattle, WA, and her grandfather Dr. Gary L. Ackerson. 

Memorial Services are being held at Littleton United Methodist Church in Littleton, Colorado on May 23, 2024 at 10:00am.

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