Born on February 4, 1923 in Balfron, Scotland. Died on November 12, 2012 in Victoria, BC. Predeceased by her husband, Harry on August 8, 1974 and her sister, Mona Cowan on August 5, 2010. Survived by many nieces and nephews in Scotland, South Africa and Northern Ireland. From 1942 to 1947, Alison was a member of W.A.A.F., specializing in Communications. She married Harry, a hydro electric engineer in Nigeria on June 7, 1952 and came to Toronto in 1954 and then Victoria in 1956. She worked for BC Power Commission and returned to school and obtained a BA, with honours, from the University of Victoria in 1966 and later a BFA in 1990. She spent her career working as Librarian for the Ministry of Education, retiring in 1981.
A Memorial Reception will be held in McCall’s Family Centre, Johnson & Vancouver Streets, at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012. Memorial donations in her memory may be made to an education project or a charity of your choice.
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David, Kathleen and family, and Dougie and family
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Yvonne Burnett Alison loved learning and reading. She bought the Globe and Mail to share with others. Her strong character and her desire to do things the right way will always inspire me. She loved Scotland and her family with all her heart. I enjoyed her sharp wit and sense of humour. I will miss her but I will never forget her a.d the inspiration she is to all independent.t women.
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Linda Elizabeth Thompson My brothers David Douglas and I have many happy memories of our Aunt Alison. I was born in June 1952 the same month Alison married my Uncle Harry so she has always been part of my life. My brothers and I remember the visits they made to us in Bangor N. Ireland as we were growing up and the interest they took in us and the wonderful letters, photos and parcels they would send us. Their life in Canada always sounded so exciting so my first overseas trip was to visit them in Victoria in 1972. They gave me the most wonderful holiday including a memorable trip to the Rockies and this led to my decision to follow in their footsteps and emigrate myself which I did to S. Africa in 1976.
In 1981 Alison retired and made a visit to my husband Harry and I later that year. She was interested to find I was experiencing many similar situations as she had in Canada some years before and she was able to give me insight and advice. Alison had a very logical type of mind which made her advice invaluable.
I last saw Alison in 1992 when we both visited N. Ireland at the same time. She was able to meet my daughter Kirsty who was 11 at the time and to also spend time with David’s daughter Louise 4 and his twin boys who were almost two. This new generation found their Great Aunt Alison always took an avid interest in their lives as she had always done with my brothers and me.
In 1994 my brother Douglas married in Scotland and was delighted when Alison made the trip to attend the wedding as the Armstrong family representative.
Over her remaining years the phone calls and letters continued and Alison’s interest and concern for us was a constant. Her life was lived to the full and even as her sight failed she continued to travel study and enjoy new experiences. We would hear about the hiking, canoeing, a trip to Alaska with a back pack or a visit to Vancouver to a concert. She continued to study and attend lectures until these last few years when her health sadly forced her to slow down.
We all feel our lives have been made better by having known Aunt Alison. We will miss her.
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Lesley Whelan and family My Aunt Alison was a dogged and determined lady who never forgot her Scottish roots and loved her adopted country, Canada. This was never more true than when she lost her husband, Harry. She could have returned to Scotland at that time but instead with her strength of character, the support of her friends and her love of Canada, she chose to stay. Her determination was again apparent when, in spite of her failing eyesight she continued to travel extensively around the world including visiting her family in her native Scotland. She was always extremely kind and generous to her nieces and nephews and their children. I for one will always remember Aunt Alison for her great spirit and zest for life. Farewell dear Aunt Alison
Aunt Alison is remembered as a proud and independent lady who had a great sense of family and of her close connections with Scotland and, through marriage, to Northern Ireland. We will remember fondly her visits to N Ireland and the interest she took in her great-nieces/nephews. She was unique and anything but dull which was borne out by the sometimes rather bizarre gifts she would bring for the children (one little preserved mouse-like creature for clinical dissection comes to mind !). Phone calls could also be a little one-sided as she would usually do most of the talking ! We give thanks for a life lived to the full.