Class Note 2006
On February 12 Allison Smith lost her life in a tragic automobile accident in Milton, Massachusetts. Allison was 31 and, by any measure, in the prime of her life. Perhaps our every passing moment is really the “prime” of our life—tragedies such as this remind me of that. Allison’s untimely, unspeakably sad passing was a reminder to me, as I’m sure it was to many of you, to be thankful for life. Since Allison’s passing, I have heard from many of you—her friends and classmates—as you recalled fond remembrances of Allison. This column is dedicated to her.
I’ll begin with my own memories. As many of you know, Allison was a fantastic runner. While at Dartmouth, I first met Allison out on trails around the College golf course. We had a number of mutual friends across our respective sports teams and ended up in conversation toward the end of a run. I don’t remember what we talked about, but I do remember what I thought: “What a warm, lovely person.” That first impression stood the test of time through all of my subsequent interactions with Allison—she was just a lovely, positive, warm person. I realize now, having heard from many of you, that I wasn’t the only person in our class who thought of Allison that way. Your remembrances impressed upon me the kind of person Allison was, and the tragedy of what happened to her a few weeks ago.
Amanda Prentice remembers Allison as a supporting and loving soul whose passion for the College was evident and appreciated in her work with the Dartmouth College Fund. “In all my interactions with Allison through the years she was so positive and supportive about not only her own path in life but took great interest in the lives of those around her. She was a gentle soul and will truly be missed.”
As Brian Taylor noted in his email to me, Allison was proud of who she was. “Allison was always smiling. She was very proud and happy to be gay. It was a sentiment that rubbed off on many. I know it rubbed off on me. When others were disturbed that some of us would start chants at Gay Straight Alliance meetings of ‘Four more years!’ for George W. Bush just to get a reaction out of a very serious and partisan crowd, Allison giggled. It’s who she was.”
Nadine Parris talked about Allison’s smile and how her zest for life was such that it could brighten your day. “From our pre-matriculation DOC trip to our last days in Hanover, I always remember Allison’s effervescent energy and infectious smile. No matter how gloomy the New Hampshire day, long the track workouts or difficult the exam, she always had a positive and encouraging outlook that could quite simply change your day. Although one very bright and shining candle has been blown out, Allison’s legacy will undoubtedly live on in all of those who knew her.”
Jeff Grossman shared how a group of Allison’s friends had gathered in San Francisco and Seattle around a bonfire to celebrate Allison’s life. As Jeff wrote: “In San Francisco a group of her friends from DOC trips gathered around a bonfire to remember Allison. In attendance were Zach Erbe ’04, Bing Knight ’05, Paul Durkee, James Austin ’07, Sam Haynor ’08, Marika Austin ’09 and Anna Nearburg ’10. Memories were shared of Allison’s exquisite rainbow Mohawk and raids in the woods to welcome unsuspecting freshmen. The group then danced the ‘Salty Dog Rag’ on the beach looking out on the Pacific Ocean.”
To Allison, forever part of Dartmouth undying.
—Jessica Tory, Schwab Residential Center, 680 Serra St., Stanford, CA 94305; jessica.e.tory@gmail.com
