"It's Been a Lot of Fun"
In Memoriam Alison Brooks
+ 10 March 2002
In 1999 I had the pleasure of meeting Alison's husband David Flin in Washington, DC. Understandably curious about what one of the unquestioned leading citizens of soc.history.what-if looked like, and genuinely interested in the family of this outstanding gentleman, I was privileged to be able to see some photographs. A few weeks later, some copies arrived by mail.I asked David this week if I might put some of them up online, so that other people in our far-flung electronic network might be able to see a glimpse of someone we will miss. I know I cannot be the only one who never passed over a message with her name on it, was always prepared to smile and pay attention when I clicked it open, and was almost never disappointed in that preparation. He gave his permission, and so I offer these for people who might never have seen her, but who could appreciate her.
Samuel Johnson once said that the purpose of drama is not so much to teach, as it is to remind. Likewise, I know all shwi posters do not need to be taught that what we've lost was not a stream of electrons, but a real human being of flesh and blood, with a history and a family of her own, with dreams and hopes and loved ones and interests, and everything else that makes up a person. But it would do us good to be reminded from time to time of the reality of someone who, in her husband's words, could be "stubborn, arrogant, strangely shy and sometimes moody," but who "was also brave, thoughtful, and unfailing kind."
Alison Brooks and David Flin, newly married 9 September 1983
Joyce Flin (David's mother), David Flin, Alison Brooks and Jack Brooks
(Alison's father, also now deceased), wedding day 9 September 1983
2 July 1994: David Flin, Alison Brooks and their daughter Catherine (then
aged 7 (nearly 8)) prior to an event at Fort Brockhurst, one of the
Palmerston Rock Follies. Because there was no battle re-enactment, but lots
of public interaction, and the show was Army in Garrison, Alison did a
washer woman impression for this event. Glasses were removed for the public
show.
REQUIESCAT IN PACE ALISON.