Alison Eliason

Alison was an extraordinary woman who lived an extraordinary life. She passed away peacefully on January 17, 2018 at the age of 101. She lived her life with kindness, grace, integrity, honor and dignity. She enjoyed traveling, art, archeology, history, and reading. She had incredible intelligence throughout her entire life.  A true inspiration in so many ways. As a young child, Alison spent as much time as she could at the library. She received most of her childhood education at the library, which she considered her second home because she happily spent so much time there, reading and studying the books.

Alison started what would be become a very impressive career while still in High School at the Bank of Italy which later became Bank of America. Prior to World War II she worked as a long distance telephone operator at Pac-Bell where she quickly became the Supervisor because she was the only person who knew how to type. She later went on to run the new teletype machines, which required top secret handling. Alison worked as a secretary at the Alameda Naval Air Station in Alameda, California for ten years where she became a lifelong cherished friend and world travel partner to Geraldine “Gerry” Smith. She moved from Alameda to work as a secretary for the United States Federal Department of Justice Branch office in Sacramento, California before transferring to the United States Department of Justice, Law Enforcement Assistance Administration in Washington, D.C. Alison worked for the U.S. Federal Law Enforcement for 34 years.

Alison traveled all around the world with her lifelong friend Gerry Smith. Her favorite place of all was to Egypt. The archeology in Egypt was fascinating to her. Alison also enjoyed traveling and spending time with her dear friend Arlene. 

When Gerry was transferred from the Alameda Navel Air Station to Iceland for five years, Gerry called Alison to say “I am lonely and I want you to come live in Iceland with me”. Being the loyal and best friend that anyone could ever dream of having, Alison dropped everything and moved to Iceland. True devotion.

Alison had no children of her own but instantly became a treasured Smith family member. She was Godmother of Gerry’s daughter, Jeanne, whom she would take to the ballet, theater and art museums. She was there for the births of Jeanne’s daughters, Linda and Sarah, as well as their children. Gerry and Jeanne both predeceased Alison. Alison will always be a cherished and deeply missed member of the Smith family, including Jeanne’s lifelong friend, Marsha.

Alison said that “her biggest blessings are the children, grandchildren and families of her dear friends that are now deceased because they have kept in touch with her.”

After her “retirement” she was a docent volunteer at the Crocker Art Museum for twenty years, where she met Jane and Larry, whose friendship, kindness and care meant so much to Alison for over twenty-two years. She was loved and admired by all who were blessed to be a part of her life.

She said the secret to living a long and happy life was to have a great sense of humor, which she most certainly had. She was “thankful to the many wonderful people in her life and that her love and appreciation remains with each one”. Alison will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to have her in their lives. Her presence may be gone but she will live on in those whose lives she touched.

Gerry’s granddaughter Linda would like to thank Jane and Larry for all of the love and help they gave to Alison. Linda would also like to thank Alison’s caregiver Shavell Jeffries, for the outstanding care, kindness and friendship she gave to Alison.

This was presented to Alison by a loving friend, before she passed away…

Alison was a fiery red head back in the day, She stepped into a mans world, and made quite a stir, But she never let that get in her way, They would never forget her, that’s for sure, Working for the Federal government is where she would stay. She has travelled the world without any fear, With her friend’s Arlene and Gerry, Friendship’s she held so dear. After her career she gave her time, To museums that needed her skills, There was never any pay, and that was fine, Sharing and learning, that was her thrill. She gave her time to the Rail Road museum, She loved the arts, so the Crocker was a fit, Her father was a railroad engineer, That made the RR museum very special, she had to admit. Many at the Pioneer House admire her, I see the respect in their eyes, Complaining has never been her cup of tea, The positive over negative is what she prefers, Her gift of laughter and joking is the key. She kept the Pioneer House on their toes, Dancing with those bound to chairs, There was no time to sit and doze, Her upbeat spirit is what she shares. She would go to meetings at the house, And if she thought things weren’t right, She made sure her views were known, And she could put up a fight, But always presented in a respectful tone. In her next life you will find her as an archeologist, Searching for knowledge as she does now, A chance to learn should never be missed, Although digging in dirt she will never allow, In the lab with the treasures is where she’ll assist. Alison has touched those lives close to her, In so many ways she may never know, She is a proud, selfless, and strong woman, She is an inspiration to so many, and it certainly shows. They say blood is thicker than water, For those of us blessed to have had Alison in our lives, We know, love can be thicker then blood.

No Services will be held at the request of Alison. She will be laid to rest at the Chapel of the Chimes Oakland Cemetery. Memorials in her name may be made to her favorite charity, Doctors Without Borders.