Ali may have gone but our fond memories of her will never go away. Thank you for being a friend. Miss you. Liz, Iain and Islay

Thinking of Ali as her birthday approaches. She was very much missed at Eliots 18th party recently - with so many of those who have influenced him there to celebrate, the loss of Ali from all our lives was felt - and noted by Paul in his speech on the night. I am often inspired when I think about how she handled her illness and the really remarkable bravery and poise she displayed. Sad sad situation.

I read of a man who stood to speak At the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone From the beginning to the end. He noted that first came the date of her birth And spoke of the following date with tears, But he said what mattered most of all Was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time That she spent alive on earth And now only those who loved her Know what that little line is worth. For it matters not, how much we own, The cars, the house, the cash, What matters is how we live and love And how we spend our dash.

So Shocked to hear the sad news of Alison’s death, so happy to have known her, I have wonderful memories of her skiing down the slopes at Avimore and on her wedding day my daughter telling her she looked like a princess, she did ! Ali was always grateful for everything in her life and although she enjoyed material things she was never materialistic, She did not take anything for granted and enjoyed everything that came her way in work and at home. She had great fun when the family and friends where altogether and this was when she was the happiest. She was so good for Sam in so many ways and they made a great team, my thoughts are with her family and mostly with Sam, I know that Ali would want to see him have a full and happy life. All my love and thoughts Debbiex

Ali was my sister-in-law. I remember the first time of meeting her – I found her a little scary and maybe a bit stand-offish. Took me a wee while to understand that Ali was a very self-contained person who did not need or seek approval. Over the years of knowing her I came to realise that she was pretty disinterested in status, educational attainment or social posturing. What she was interested in was doing things; with Sam, with her mum and her sisters and with her nieces and nephew. She kept her focus on the sightseeing trips, the golf, the bridge club, her home and garden and her business, not to mention her pups. Ali was a ‘do-er’ not a ‘dweller’. She knew what wanted and worked hard to achieve it. I remember the ‘end of year’ hours she kept, although she was always reticent to discuss the considerable success built in her legal career. Ali had extremely high standards. At a BBQ she and Sam organised just a month before her death she was so so frustrated at my substandard work on the salad dressing, the same frustration I witnessed one Christmas time aimed somewhat more vocally at Sam around his attempts to pack away her treasured collection of decorations. Ali was kind and generous and always showed appreciation. Even during her illness she would take the time to phone or send a card to acknowledge little presents or help. I was so inspired when, around the time of her diagnosis, one of her main concerns was the effect her situation would have on Katie and Eliots exam preparations. It was not really until Ali became ill and slowed down that I feel I got to know her a little – and we spent a few lovely sunny afternoon visits in her garden and mine. She also treated Eliot and I to afternoon tea at Cameron House. Watching Sam and Ali deal with the terrible disease always reminded me of the lovely Kathy Mattea song called ‘I wear your love’ for indeed Ali wore Sams love just like a suit of armour. She often said to me ‘I just want Sam’ and he surely rose to the challenge from day one. He educated himself and acquired all the nursing skills to do every task of the physical care he possibly could. He was more creative and resourceful than we could ever have imagined, treating everyone around Ali like his staff – taking it upon himself to coordinate, motivate and challenge so that Ali could have the best and be protected from negativity and poor standards. He shied away from nothing and managed to bring humour to the most dire situations. That sense of humour that landed him Ali in the first place! I was so proud of him. I wish I had got to know Ali sooner. I wish I had heard her play piano and violin. I wish cancer had not taken her out of our lives. Don't you know can't you see head to toe it is covering me Like a stone the oceans's tide nothing can hurt me or turn me aside For I wear your love thrown over my shoulders like a blanket of down I wear your love like a badge of devotion of love and beyond On the chilliest night though I travel light It is always enough for I wear your love

Thank you for setting up this memorial to Alison Thompson. We hope that you find it a positive experience developing the site and that it becomes a place of comfort and inspiration for you to visit whenever you want or need to.

I am I and you are you, whatever we were to each other that we still are. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? Life means all that it ever meant, it is the same as it ever was.