Allison Heppinstall

Anchorage resident, Allison Ella Heppinstall, 90, died peacefully Saturday, June 18, 2011 at home in Anchorage in the sunshine among the fragrant boughs of spruce, fruiting birch, and beautiful flowers. She took her last earthly breaths surrounded by her family and beloved dog Max.

A celebration of Allison's life will be held 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, June 26, 2011 at Cafe Felix, 530 East Benson in Anchorage.

Allison was born November 8th 1920 in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Iren Sabo and Gabriel Danko, World War I immigrants from Hungary. Allison grew up during the Great Depression in and around Bridgeport and Westport. During the war she worked making armaments , where she met her husband-to-be, Leslie, a Navy flight engineer.

She married Leslie Heppinstall Dec. 25th, 1940. WWII brought them to Miami, Florida, where they made their home with their kids until 1970 when they moved to Anchorage, AK. They owned and operated Queens Laundry on Northern Lights in Anchorage in the 1970's until retiring. An airline family they traveled the world from their bases in Miami and Anchorage and spent their family summers in far flung places like Tokyo and Frankfurt.

A devoted mom and grandmother Allison was also an avid gardener; her Rugosa rose collection was the envy of Honeysuckle Drive. She was an excellent seamstress who enjoyed making her kid's costumes and gowns. An accomplished chef her published Tartar Sauce recipe in Alaska's Seafood Cookbook was a family favorite: 3 tbl melted butter, 1/2 cup mayo,1/4 cup chopped chives or green onions, juice from half a fresh lemon, 1/2 tsp salt, dash ground pepper.

Allison was preceded in death by her three siblings, Charles, Frances and Irene. She is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Leslie and Harry Hvostov, Brooke Heppinstall and Paul Kroenung; son, Christian Heppinstall; and grandsons, Alexander Hvostov and Klaus Kroenung.

According to Allison's wishes the family thanks Medicare, US Social Security Administration, Providence Hospital and Cancer Center, Providence Hospice, the Providence Pulmonary Puff-ins, WomenListen: Women With Cancer, for the excellent and compassionate care and friendship she received during her long illness.

Arrangements were cared for by the Anchorage Funeral Home & Crematory.