Alison West

Alison was born in England on July 15, 1969, into the bright and loving family of Rev. Dr. Alison West,, Dr. Roy West, and her older brother, Pete. Her family lived in many communities over time, including Beaconsfield, Ottawa, Ancaster, and Regina. Alison grew up in a loving home with open-door hospitality and generous hearts– qualities she carried forward into her teaching and her relationships. Her time as a young adult in Regina nourished her love of art, her sense of humor, and her fun loving nature amidst an extended group of friends she shared with her older brother.

Alison gained her love for travel from her family, and had many happy memories with friends in Quebec City, Toronto, and Liverpool England to name a few. Her creative nature eventually led her to Halifax to study costume design at Dalhousie University, and later textiles at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD), including a memorable four-month side trip to Fukuoka, Japan. She made friends easily wherever she went and treasured those threads as the fabric of her life, re-connecting effortlessly with old friends after many years like no time had passed.

During her time at NSCAD, she met the love of her life, Dave Drapak, and her wildly wandering spirit found its true home. After teaching English together in South Korea for two years they returned to Halifax where they welcomed their bright and beautiful son, Calder Drapak West into the world. Calder was Alison’s true heart, and it was plain to all who knew her that he was the ultimate source of joy and pride in her life. Their relationship was amazing to behold—full of wit, understanding, humor, friendship, and collaboration. There are no words to carry the scope and power of her devotion to him.

While Calder was still a baby, Alison worked her way through a Bachelor of Education from Mount Saint Vincent University. She dedicated the next two decades of her life to teaching at Sackville High School. Her school community has generously shared many stories of her gifts and it is impossible to encapsulate Alison’s impact as an art educator in this province. She was nothing short of a teaching legend, the kind one student tells another to look forward to when it's their turn to study art. She remains the inspiration, confidence, passion, connection, patience, support, and model of kindness for literally thousands of people. She simply loved her school family unconditionally as they were. Without trying to change them, she taught them with a generosity of heart that was deeply appreciated by all who were fortunate to experience it.

As the long-serving and innovative past-president of the Nova Scotia Art Teachers’ Association, she dedicated countless volunteer hours to building stronger art education communities, mentoring young teachers, and expanding the potential of art education in our public schools. Alison led without ego, quietly, steadfastly and with great compassion and humour- who else do you know could pull off a half dozen earrings, a silk scarf, a tweed hat, and blue boots with so much style and confidence?

Outside of school, the beauty of nature was always a place of rest and rejuvenation to her. She cultivated a gorgeous garden, took daily summer swims in lakes with friends and family, and spent joyful time surrounded by the rugged beauty of Herring Neck, Newfoundland on annual trips to be with family.

When diagnosed with metastatic cancer five months ago, Alison fought back with stubbornness and style, under the comfort of quilts handmade by her mother and the devoted care of her family and friends.

Alison is predeceased by her mother and most recently, her father, Roy. Her playful love of life and beauty carries on with her son Calder, her husband Dave, her brother Pete, her family of Dubeczys, Pardys, Roberts, and Wests, her many friends and colleagues, and the thousands of students whom she taught.

Her family would like to express a great deal of thanks to the incredible community of people who supported Alison, Calder, and Dave through her illness. You have changed and enriched our lives. In Alison's memory, please consider a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society.