Like everyone else I was devastated to learn of Alison's sad passing. We may have lived thousands of miles apart but she was a true friend and confidante for many, many years. Our paths first crossed in February 1992 at the Sentinel-Review in Woodstock. She took me under her wing as a cub reporter and being the new kid in town devoted a lot of time outside the workplace to showing me around, cinema outings, evenings in the pub, trips to London and weekends with other friends in Toronto to socialise and see the sights. She gave me sound advice and was a very special person, dubbing herself my 'pseudo-mom'. She was an inspirational person and great to learn from. Alison was at the top of her game as a reporter and editor, fearless but fair, but where she excelled in my eyes was as a friend, and you could ask for none better. I returned to Canada for a month in 1995 to visit and stayed in Toronto and Alison again was there to take me on a tour of the Canadian National Exhibition - I had my first snow cone! - and I was delighted to win a stuffed cow which she was thrilled with. We stayed in touch over all those years and, while Alison had visited her native Scotland many times, she finally made the decision in 2013 to come that little bit farther to Ireland for the first time. The fact that Bruce Springsteen was playing was an added bonus!! We stayed in the Europa in Belfast (which she informed me, having researched it, was the most bombed hotel in Europe) and that was to be our base for one of the most memorable weeks I ever had. In the middle of a heatwave too. We toured the bars around Belfast and became regulars over those seven days, while taking daily trips to the Giants Causeway, Titanic Centre, Carrickfergus Castle, and to the village of Bushmills, home of the famous Bushmills Whiskey. She toured the Crumlin Road Gaol with myself and my fiancee Hazel, who also enjoyed getting to know her that day; Alison was one of those people that once met made a lasting impression and it was as if she and Hazel had known one another for years. The highlight of Alison's Ireland tour was seeing her beloved Bruce on a blistering hot Saturday – from the pit in front of the stage. She was buzzing and said it was the closest she ever got to her idol and the three-mile walk back to Belfast city centre afterwards was a small price to pay. It was a wonderful week. Over the years I have immensely enjoyed our random ramblings - music, politics and putting the world to rights - and it was great to know Alison was always there; the time difference meant that you could send a message and not get a reply for hours but it was a constant two-way flow and both knew that the other was never far away, literally if not physically. I was so proud to be her 'favourite Irishman'. I know Alison may have left us now but I think she made such an impression that she will live on within each one of us in different ways. I will treasure and cherish precious memories always. She was a very funny, kind-hearted, courageous and loyal person and I will be forever grateful to have had her in my life.
Your pain now is over. Rest easy Alison, my dear friend. xo