Obituary of Alexandra Vermylen Fiddes

Alexandra Vermylen Fiddes was born on March 31, 1982 in Morristown, NJ and died after a valiant battle with cancer on August 23, 2022. She was 40. From the start, she claimed that cancer was fighting her. Her disciplined resilience over the past year and a half was an inspiration that demonstrated the strength of her character.

Alexandra was raised in Morristown and Long Valley, NJ. She was a graduate of Old Farmers Road School, Villa Walsh Academy, and Georgetown University where she followed in the footsteps of her grandfather, six Vermylen uncles, and many cousins. She treasured her time with family at her grandparents Nancy and Paul Vermylen’s  summer house in Shoreham, NY, as well as visits to her Fiddes grandparents, Doris and Jack Fiddes, home in St Bruno, Quebec, and her summer camp on Sebago Lake in Maine. She was a conscientious student, a sought-after babysitter, worked in a local toy store, attended services at Community Presbyterian Church in Chester, NJ and received her Girl Scout Gold Award. 

After earning a degree in English at Georgetown, she moved to Manhattan where she worked in finance, then followed her heart to England where for several years she lived in the seaside village of Leigh on Sea. Back in Manhattan, she held a variety of administrative positions in finance and consulting. In 2015, once again her heart led her in a new direction, this time to Bentonville, Arkansas, another town that she grew to love. In 2021, her illness brought her back to Morristown where she appreciated the care and kindness of the medical staff at the Carol Simon Cancer Center at Morristown Medical Center and the extraordinarily caring nurses of the Simon 5 cancer unit. 

Alexandra was a beautiful person inside and out, and an exceptionally generous friend, especially to those in need. In London, she was a committed member of the Junior League. In Arkansas, she volunteered in various programs sponsored by the Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Family Services and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Bentonville. 

Above all, Alexandra loved children, and shared her care and kindness with so many girls and boys whose lives crossed paths with hers. She had a deep capacity for friendship, and formed authentic relationships with people from all walks of life wherever she went. She adored her three younger brothers whom she had welcomed with such delight. Her niece Annabelle was her pride and joy, and this past spring she was thrilled with the arrival of her nephew and godson Harrison.

Alexandra always found pleasure and joy in the smaller moments. In third grade, when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up she answered ‘content’. She loved nature, art, books, cooking and, especially, her puppies Canada and Mable. She had a natural sense of style, was a fast learner, a fast worker and an even faster walker. The bustling streets and vivid nightlife of Manhattan suited her well, but so did the quiet beauty of Long Valley, the Thames Estuary and the Long Island Sound. 

She is survived by her devoted parents Jessica and John Fiddes of Morristown, NJ: three beloved brothers, John III of Manhattan, Hugh Fiddes (Sarah) of Austin, Texas and Cameron Fiddes, also of Austin; and her many aunts, uncles and cousins in the United States and Canada. Her aunt Robin Vermylen was a special person in Alexandra’s life, and so was her sister-in-law Sarah Fiddes, the ‘sissy’ she had always wanted. 

Her family and friends mourn the loss of this treasured young woman: daughter, sister, niece, cousin and, above all, remarkable friend. May she finally rest in peace.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Alexandra’s memory to the Integrative Medicine Oncology Fund Foundation for Morristown Medical Center at 475 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial visitation for Alexandra on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 from 3:00 to 5:00pm and 7:00 to 9:00pm at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison, NJ. Service of the Resurrection and Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, September 1, 2022 at 11:00am at The Chapel at Presbyterian Church on the Green, 57 East Park Place, Morristown, NJ. Interment will be held privately.