Obituary of Alison Marie Healey

A beautiful, courageous, and strong woman died on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. She wasn’t kidnapped in a distant land. She didn’t die on the battlefield, or in the line of duty, or in a terrorist attack. There have been no walks sponsored in her name, no special events in her honor, no ball games played in testimonial to her; but she lived and died as bravely as those who did. The killer who assaulted her was every bit of a terrorist as those who lurk among us, and yet, her brave, 6 ½ year battle with breast cancer was fought and lost without fanfare - as she would have had it, and did! A fiercely independent and intensely private person, Alison gathered good people around her, and showed us all how to smile and face each day with hope and joy. Her killer won’t be tried or convicted, and until a great deal changes, won’t even be arrested. She was an informed patient who advocated for herself and other patients who couldn’t or didn't advocate for themselves. Remember her with warm thoughts and kindness towards one another…and smile. Services were immediate family only: Mom and Dad, Donna (Ventresca) and Dennis Healey; Sister, Pamela Healey, and beautiful nieces: Maria and Merry Mangini; Brother, Brian, his wife, Kathy, and wonderful nephews: Ben and Nick; “Godmother” Kate O’Leary, "Godmother-in-training", Lorraine Benoit; and her dear Gracie Lou. Her extended family includes: Aunt Susan (Ventresca) and Uncle Tom Andresen and family: Thomas, Curtis and Tania, and Anton; Uncle Peter and Aunt Dot Ventresca; Aunt Roz Jordan, Uncle Bob and Aunt Chris Healey and family: Lisa and Spencer; Uncle Rick and Aunt Mary and family: John and Sarah, Mary-Kate and Chris, and Will. Warm friendships were shared with many and you know who you are. Gentle care was given by many medical collaborators in her struggle for life. Significant among them were: Karen Krag, Zhen Zhen Zhang, and Jim MacIntyre. Please join us, her proud family, at the Boston Peabody Marriott, 8A Centennial Drive, Peabody, MA, on Saturday, February 28, from 10 A.M - 12 Noon to accept our many thanks for your thoughtfulness over the years. If you wish to commemorate Alison's life, donations can be made to: Michael A. Ventresca Scholarship Fund, University of Massachusetts Boston University Advancement, 100 Morrissey Boulevard Boston, MA 02125, 617-287-5328 www.umb.edu/alumni (Uncle Mike was killed by a drunk driver in 1985) or Care Dimensions of the North Shore & Greater Boston 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923 OR... Use the money to take a friend for coffee, lunch, or wine - and laugh! Oh how she loved to laugh!