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BORN
1952
DIED
2023
Alison MacPhail Obituary
Our indomitable, adventurous Alison died May 22, 2023 surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland on October 5, 1952, Alison was the loving wife of Ray Bigauskas, an amazing mother to Stefan, Mark and Zoe and a galvanizing spirit in the lives of her siblings Iain, Fiona, Gavin, Rob and her nieces and nephews who were so important to her.
Alison was 15 when her family moved to Canada. She attended Queen's, then began her career in Ottawa as a lawyer working for the federal justice department on legislation, criminal justice policy and justice reform. In 1995, she moved to B.C. and served as an assistant deputy minister, then as deputy minister for the Ministry of the Solicitor General and the Ministry of Children and Families. She headed a cross-ministry team which led to the creation of Vancouver's community court with a focus on prolific offenders and a new approach to bail. She was executive lead on criminal justice reform in the province and became chair of the British Columbia Review Board in February 2021.
What really mattered to Alison was helping marginalized people live better lives and be treated fairly. Alison was driven, intelligent, tireless. She was kind, generous and fun, with a ready sense of humour and laughter that could bubble up at any time. Alison was undaunted by cancer. She called it a "nuisance" because treatment temporarily stopped her doing the things she wanted to do. And she continued to travel for work, flying to Ethiopia, Uganda and South Sudan. She loved her book club friends, tossing the ball for her doodle Molly with her dog walking friends, her wine, dancing, cycling, and kayaking. She loved gardening and created a peaceful oasis of blossoms. She loved bringing people together, hosting many parties for family, friends and colleagues. Alison had a deep love for her family and she will be deeply missed.
Thank you to all who have helped us during this difficult time, including the amazing staff at the Royal Jubilee Hospital.
A celebration of Alison's life will be held on June 17th from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the University Club of Victoria. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Victoria Women in Need Community Cooperative.
Memories and Condolences
for Alison MacPhail
16 Entries
Tonia Nicholls
July 24, 2024
To her family and friends,
I only knew Alison for about two years in her role as the chair of the BC Review Board. Dr. Chris Webster helped to bring us together. She was collaborating with our team on a research study. She and Chris wanted my students and I to work with them to study the effects of the pandemic on the forensic patient population. She was generous with her time and expertise, kind and caring in interactions with junior trainees and compassionate and insightful in her reflections about the implications of the findings for the complex and needy population. I was sad to lose her collaboration for so many reasons. She was a joy to work with and was clearly committed to leaving the world a better place than she found it. I think of her fondly and often.
Tonia Nicholls
Peta colebatch
July 20, 2024
Heavens, what a wonderful person. In australia, looking up someone e else of that name who had died a few years ago, also of cancer. And read this. So my sympathy to you all. She sounds incredible.
Kathleen Howes
October 15, 2023
I just learned today of Allison's passing. She was a constant friend since law school and it was when she didn't answer my birthday email that I found out. I will always cherish the good times we shared and I offer my sincere condolences to her wonderful family whom she loved so much.
Tim C
June 18, 2023
Dear Ray and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We send our condolences to you and your family.
Tim
Gary Oppenheimer
June 13, 2023
Alison was a dear friend who I seem to have known forever, starting when she and Ray lived in Ottawa in the 1980´s and continuing to the present after they moved to Victoria.
Alison was funny, caring, intelligent and multi-talented. It was obvious that she loved Ray, her children, and her family. She enjoyed her home and always made it cozy and inviting. She was a wonderful gardener and her yards always looked beautiful. She was a lover of dogs and had several of them over her lifetime.
Some of my favourite memories of Alison are the time I spent with her and her family at Lima and Peter´s cottage in Ontario. And Kathryn and I had a wonderful visit when we stayed with Ray and Alison in Victoria in 2016.
I will always admire Alison. Our sincere condolences go to Ray, Stefan, Mark, Zoe and dear family and friends.
Gary Oppenheimer and Kathryn Landon
Sarf Ahmed
June 12, 2023
My sincere condolences to the family. I had the good fortune of working with her briefly at Ministry of Children and Families. Her passion to help the under privileged and disadvantaged in our community was extremely evident in her work. May she rest in peace.
Yvon and Vivienne
June 10, 2023
We send our deepest sympathies to Ray, her children, siblings and nieces and nephews for the loss of our dear Alison. We enjoyed every minute of her warmth and enthusiasm, as well as good sense of humour, and of course that amazing smile. We had wonderful times with Alison in Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia. She was such a keen and interested member of the team and always bringing great ideas and solutions to the table. We are very sad that she is no longer with us and will miss her.
Rest in peace Alison!
Yvon and Vivienne
Bev
June 8, 2023
We met when you first moved to Canada. Together we survived all the ups and downs of our teen years. Our love of our horses and adventure never waned. Our last visit was skiing together in Whistler and just wish we had time to do more. Rest In Peace my friend.
Jim Bazuik
June 8, 2023
Amazing lady. Our own miss RMSS. She went on to be her own success but will always be my favourite bar keeper at the airport hotel. Condolences to all the family and friends. A very special person
Shereen and Mark
June 7, 2023
The world is definitely a better place because Alison was here. We will miss her.
dave porcynally
June 7, 2023
a beautiful caring lady
Randi and Vickie DelGuidice
June 7, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with Alison and family.
Jacqueline Couture
June 4, 2023
So sad and shocked to hear of Alison´s passing. An intelligent, vibrant, wonderful person with a beautiful voice and fantastic sense of humour. Our deepest condolences to Ray, Stefan, Mark and Zoe for this enormous loss. Jacqueline, Katéri and Sébastien.
Anne Marie Bigauskas
June 4, 2023
So sad hearing of Alison passing. My heart breaks for you Ray, Zoe, Mark and Stefan.
Jessica McDonald
June 1, 2023
My deepest condolences to Alison's family and close friends. Alison made a significant contribution to public service in BC. Jessica McDonald
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