Leslie Van Ness Memorials
Honoring the Legacy of Lesley Van Ness (December 28, 1980 – April 10, 2023)
Lesley was born in Macomb, Illinois, to Sterling and Jan Swick and graduated from Hamilton High School in 1999. She earned her Bachelor of Science cum laude from Illinois State University in 2003, where she made her mark with ISU Department of Communications’ TV‑10 news team.
Lesley built a celebrated career at WGEM, rising from intern to beloved evening anchor. Over 13 years, she earned both awards and viewers’ hearts with her professionalism, warmth, and charisma. In 2021, she became Gray Television’s first Director of Talent Acquisition—championing future journalists in over 113 markets through internships, fellowships, and hands-on opportunities.
A devoted wife to Tom, whom she married in 2012, and a loving mother to Sterling and Cameron, Lesley filled her home with laughter and creativity. Though not by trade, she became a master cake decorator for her boys’ birthdays and instilled deep values of reading, learning, and kindness. Together, Lesley and Tom shared adventures—from World Series celebrations and Final Fours to Dave Matthews Band concerts, Broadway, beach vacations—and above all loved raising their sons.
Carrying Lesley’s Light Forward
In Lesley’s memory, Tom and their boys have established two endowment funds through the Morton Community Foundation, each honoring a cherished part of her life:
Lesley Van Ness Journalism Scholarship Fund
This fund supports aspiring journalists, reflecting Lesley’s passion for storytelling and mentorship. It will offer scholarships to students pursuing careers in journalism and communications, continuing her legacy of championing the next generation.
Lesley Van Ness Y.E.S. Fund
Y.E.S. stands for “Youth, Encouragement, Service”—values Lesley embraced as a mother and community leader. This fund will provide grants to young people for educational, enrichment, or community-service projects that inspire positivity and growth.
Your support for these funds ensures Lesley’s spirit lives on—uplifting journalism students and serving youth in ways that echo her devotion, creativity, and generosity. Thank you for being part of this lasting tribute.