Sherman, Dr. Allison Morgan (1979 - 2017)
It is with disbelief, profound sadness and broken hearts that we announce the passing of Allison Sherman on April 26th at KGH. Allison is the cherished daughter of Joan Sherman, Kingston, Bruce Sherman and Deb Price-Sherman, Rockport, treasured sister of Andrew Sherman (Melissa Hill), Rockwood, and Lisa Sherman-Shamray, Barbados, and doting Aunt Allie to Mac and Whitney Sherman. Adored granddaughter of Enid Simpson and the late Mac Simpson of brockville and the late Jean and don Simpson Brockville.
Allison was born and raised in Kingston and attended LaSalle Secondary School where her interest in art history was piqued by, well-loved educator, the late Berkley Brean. She earned both her BA Honours (Art History) and Master’s degrees at Queen’s University (QU) and her PhD at St. Andrew’s University, Scotland, followed by Post Doctoral studies at QU. Allison's focus of study was Italian, specifically Venetian, Renaissance Art.
Allison was an admired and gifted scholar and researcher, as well as an encouraging and inspiring mentor and dedicated, much-loved adjunct assistant professor within the Department of Art History, QU (she was nominated for a teaching award in 2014 and 2016). Allie was awarded QU School of Graduate Studies Graduate Coordinator Award in 2015, a position she filled from 2013 to 2015, and the QU Society of Graduate and Professional Students Graduate Support Award 2013-2014. Since 2011 Allison directed and co-instructed the QU Venice Summer School (VSS) with her colleague and dear friend, Krystina Stermole. After attending the QU VSS herself while an undergrad and subsequently becoming fluent in Italian, Venice became Allison's lifelong passion and second home. Allison’s positivity, intelligence, generosity and her joyful, contagious enthusiasm will be greatly missed by legions of students, colleagues and friends around the world. Allie was commonly described as a 'bright light' and indeed she was just that.
With an indefatigable, strong and hopeful spirit, Allison faced the challenging two years since her breast cancer diagnosis with enormous grace, dignity, courage, humour, and an unyielding determination to overcome what ultimately, cruelly took her young and promising life. She proactively took on cancer the way she took on everything: earnestly, meticulously and with total commitment. To say she willingly and with a smile on her beautiful face did absolutely everything possible to save her own life is to understate the case. A lesser person could not, would not, have been able to maintain the intense and restrictive regime she thoroughly researched and bravely undertook for many months in the fervent hope it would alter the outcome.
Allison was tremendously thankful for, overwhelmed and humbled by the generosity of those who contributed to Go Fund Me/You Caring(organized & overseen by Jill Weinreich) that made possible many helpful natural and integrative treatments here, as well as her immuno-therapy treatments in Vienna. She was deeply touched by the incredible response to the April 29th fund-raising dinner and silent auction held on her behalf (organized by Cheryl Barber & Sherry Weese).The most heartfelt thanks to Doug Girvin and linda Ross who upon hearing of the plan without hesitation generously provided transport to and from Vienna for both Allie and mom. Sadly, Allie died just 3 days before the event so did not see all the stunning donated silent auction items, but she did know there were a lot of them and that Venice was a prominent theme among them. Allie was also thrilled with the quilt made for raffle by several QU Department of Art History staff and students (organized by Lisa Binkley). The winner of this magnificent quilt gave it to Allie's family who will cherish it always.
Sincere thanks to Dr. Ross Walker, Dr. Mihaela Mates, Dr. William Mackillop, Dr. Diederick Jalink, Dr. Ingrid Harle, Kingston Health Sciences Complex (KHSC); Gillian Flower, Janet Perry and Dong Giao Tran, Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre (OICC); Dr. Ralf Kleef and Dr. Robert Nagy, Kleef Hyperthermia & Integrative Oncology Clinic, Vienna, Austria, for their efforts on Allison’s behalf. Allie was a firm believer in guardian angels, but gratefully she was blessed with many earthly angels lovingly watching over her as well. Prominent among them were her nurse-friends, Cheryl Barber and Sherry Weese; friend and colleague, Dawn Lloyd, the Wizard of Ontario Hall; and her faithful, beloved Sticker Friend, Jill Weinreich, Venice, Italy. The steadfast support and devotion of these friends will never be forgotten.
Irrepressible, irreverent, funny, kind, incredibly thoughtful, articulate, unassuming, hard-working and wise beyond her years, Allison touched the lives of so many in a meaningful, memorable way and a celebration of her all too short life will be held in the near future. The pride we have in our remarkable daughter and sister is without measure and we will miss her forever.
"In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you."Buddha
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