Allison Fisher

FISHER, Allison - On September 22nd, Allison Fisher died gracefully and in peace at home with her loving husband at her side, following a long and valiant battle with lymphoma. Allison was absolutely her own person and never strode blindly down life's path but always found and followed the right and compassionate way without regard for her personal benefit. She will be greatly missed by her community and particularly by those who had the good fortune to know her. Born in 1954 in Montana, a place she loved and longed for throughout her life, Allison grew up in Billings and attended Rocky Mountain College there. She later attended the University of Montana School of Law in Missoula, where she received her law degree and where she developed many of her most enduring friendships. A passionate mind and heart led her to a series of other endeavors, among them study at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, work in the legal action group protesting the development of nuclear weapons at Lawrence Livermore Labs, travel in Nicaragua, and her relationship with her husband Avram Siegel, which began in 1984. In the 1980s, Allison became a pivotal figure in the Bay Area's acoustic music scene by taking over the booking at Berkeley's Freight and Salvage Coffee House where, through her unique ability to recognize something great and real in new talent and the confidence to act on it, she introduced the Bay Area to many artists that have since developed tremendous followings. Under her management, the Freight and Salvage thrived and outgrew its original location on San Pablo Ave. and moved to its current location. Later she worked independently booking local musicians. Allison shared a passion for music with Avram and with him helped found the traditional bluegrass band True Blue, which toured widely in the United States and in which she distinguished herself as an outstanding bass player. A songwriter herself, Allison invested extensive amounts of time in researching and collecting the songs in the band's repertoire as well as booking and promoting the band. Sharing time and "food made with love" with close friends and family also occupied an important place in their life together as did travel, their dogs, and rebuilding their dream home. Allison's latest attachments were to the city of Paris and to her Border collie, Jack, but her greatest love, her husband, survives her and he mourns her passing. A memorial gathering will be held from 2:00 - 5:00 on December 10th at the Freight and Salvage at 1111 Addison St. in Berkeley. Memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society.