Obituary: Alison Levine, 1977 - 2025

Alison Levine (Van Fleet) passed away peacefully on March 20, 2025 surrounded by family and friends after a heroic, decades long battle with mitochondrial disease. She was 47. Alison was born in Syracuse, NY to Barbara Muldoon and Herman Van Fleet and was the oldest of their three daughters. Growing up, she was curious, enthusiastic, had a radiant personality, and loved a bit of mischief. Alison graduated from Radnor High School in Wayne, Pa.

Then began Ithaca College where she rowed crew and spent a semester abroad in London. In her sophomore year Alison faced serious medical challenges requiring a liver transplant at the age of 19. She was later diagnosed with the mitochondrial disease POLG, a degenerative metabolic disorder, robbing her of energy and posing many medical challenges throughout her life. Knowing the hurdles ahead, she devoted herself to creating a life of great joy, deep friendships, strong family connections, music, and many adventures.

Alison graduated from Temple University, managed the band Love Syndicate, and became a certified yoga instructor. She traveled extensively and lived by the motto of “do what you can while you can”. At 25, she moved to Nantucket, her “happy place,” where she previously spent many summers with her family at her grandparents home on Madaket Road. She became well known on island for her sticker-covered Jeep, her infectious laugh, and her beautiful, uplifting spirit. Alison volunteered at the Lighthouse School and the Farmer’s Market, and cherished her time at the beach with her dog Otis. In 2013 she married her partner Tyler. The two could be seen on their tandem bicycle all over the island, even out the doors of the Unitarian church on Orange street after their wedding. They enjoyed time on the water in their kayak, joyfully attending as many social functions as she could, and welcoming friends and family into life at their quirky island home.

Despite being confined to a wheelchair for her last 10 years, she embarked on a constant string of big events including participating twice in the Pan Mass Challenge, riding with Tyler 180 miles from Wellesley, to Provincetown, chasing eclipses, witnessing countless full moons, rising suns and special moments of nature. Many were inspired by her perseverance, and refusal to let her medical challenges inhibit her joy or diminish her spirit. As a grateful organ transplant recipient, in her final act, Alison gave her lungs to 2 separate patients for transplant, giving two families a second life, the way she was blessed through her liver transplant. She will be terribly missed.

She is survived by her parents, Barbara Muldoon (Ed Freidrich) and Herman Van Fleet (Carolyn Van Fleet), sisters: Katie Van Fleet (Josh Olivier), Suzanne Van Fleet (Collin Stabler) nephews: Van and Remy Stabler, husband Tyler Levine, three devoted dogs: Molly, Gus, and Dusty and a huge web of devoted friends, family and people she has moved and nudged towards greater joy.

A celebration of her life will be arranged in the near future. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation in her memory.