One year on, Allison’s parents Geoff and Priscilla Dickie along with other friends and family have penned an open letter, published in The Courier Mail, remembering Allison as the “wonderful woman” and “model mum” she was.
Here is the open letter from those who loved and knew Allison best:
In the past 12 months, Allison has been constantly in our thoughts.
Not for the circumstances and uncertain nature of her passing, but for the wonderful person she was. For the joy she brought to us all.
And for the lesson of selfless sacrifice she gave through the actions of her everyday life. Regardless of her own struggles and hurdles, Allison never stopped thinking of others first and foremost.
Allison, who was humble by nature, was extravagant only in her giving.
And she gave to all who came into her life, friends and thieves alike. She epitomised what it meant to be a loving mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunty and friend.
After 12 months, Allison is missed more than ever, and she is most surely not forgotten.
We all have special personal memories of the wonderful woman she was.
She had done so much, yet had so much to live for and so much more to do.
This has been a very public journey for our family and we appreciate everyone’s love and support.
We, her family and friends, remain overwhelmed by the support from the broader community, and in particular from the Brookfield community who continue to offer love and support for her daughters. Allison too would be overwhelmed, and thankful for all your efforts.
We must live as Allison did with goals to help us strive for excellence, with love for one another; with respect, and to put the happiness of others above our own.
Life we have learnt is precious, and too short.
We often cry because her life has come to an end but we also smile because we were privileged to have her in our lives.
A high achiever, a model mum and unselfish soul, all of which were achieved under sometimes challenging circumstances, yet she rose above any adversity and endured many difficulties yet she still loved.
She has impacted each of our lives yet she had a far greater impact on the world because of her nature, character and kind soul.
She had done so much, yet had so much to live for and so much more to do.
This has been a very public journey for our family and we appreciate everyone’s love and support.
We, her family and friends, remain overwhelmed by the support from the broader community, and in particular from the Brookfield community who continue to offer love and support for her daughters. Allison too would be overwhelmed, and thankful for all your efforts.
We must live as Allison did with goals to help us strive for excellence, with love for one another; with respect, and to put the happiness of others above our own.
Life we have learnt is precious, and too short.
We often cry because her life has come to an end but we also smile because we were privileged to have her in our lives.
A high achiever, a model mum and unselfish soul, all of which were achieved under sometimes challenging circumstances, yet she rose above any adversity and endured many difficulties yet she still loved.
She has impacted each of our lives yet she had a far greater impact on the world because of her nature, character and kind soul.
A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others and Allison was loved so much.
A year on from her death and we celebrate her life, her love and her strength each and every day.
She will remain forever in our hearts.
From the Dickies and their extended families.