1989 – 2013

WILTON — Kelsey Leigh Ayala, 23, of Hubert, N.C. and currently stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C., passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, April 24, at her father’s home in Wilton. Kelsey had returned to Maine on emergency leave to see her sister in the hospital.

She was born Sept. 27, 1989 in Farmington, the daughter of Dennis Ayala and Kaaren Graham. Kelsey was a 2007 graduate of Mount Blue High School and enjoyed playing softball through her high school. Kelsey L. Ayala enlisted in the Marine Corps on May 23, 2008. She was currently stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C. and assigned to 8th Engineer Support Battalion as a Bulk Fuel Specialist.

Kelsey’s awards include: a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, two Afghanistan Campaign Medals, three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, two Navy Unit Commendations, a Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, six Letters of Appreciation, two Certificates of Appreciation, a Meritorious Mast Award and the Nato Medal – ISAF Afghanistan.

Kelsey married Sebastian Zapata in June 2011, and they recently bought their home in Hubert, N.C. She loved being outside and loved spending time with family and friends. She will be deeply missed by those that knew and loved her.

She is survived by her husband, Sebastian Zapata of Hubert, N.C. and his family; her father, Dennis Ayala of Wilton; sisters, Danielle Ayala Dineen and her husband, Shane, of Leeds, Andrea Hoffman of Vero Beach, Fla., Nicole Hoffman of Farmington, Jessica Melchoirre of Milford, Conn., Tracy Brady of Sarasota, Fla., and Crista Cintron of West Haven, Conn.; her brother, Stephen Sheridan of West Haven, Conn.; her paternal grandparents, Mima and Papi Ayala of Milford, Conn.; maternal grandmother, Grammy Graham of West Haven, Conn.; her goddaughter, Ryleigh Dineen; many, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; and last but not least — her many brothers and sisters of her Marine Corp Family.

She was predeceased by her mother, Kaaren Wadsworth, in 2010; and her maternal grandfather, Poppy Graham in 1998.

Messages of condolence may be sent to: www.finleyfuneralhome.com.