June 14, 1923 - March 15, 2018
We will deeply miss the gentle kindness, quick wit and amazing presence of our dearly beloved Mom, “Grandma B”, aunt, cousin and friend.
She died as gently as she lived, taking her last breath in the early morning hours of March 15, 2018 in West Vancouver.
Allie was born and raised in Winnipeg and discovered her love for skating early on. When she moved to the “Wet” Coast, she missed “real” snow. She taught figure skating, albeit in the confines of the North Shore’s rinks. Her independent spirit showed when she wore black men’s skate boots and was teased about it.
Allie graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Home Economics from the University of Manitoba, and completed United Church Training School in Toronto as a deacon in 1945. She then went on to receive a Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) from UBC in 1951, and finished her studies for a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) in 1952
Allie met Clarence Bleackley in Vancouver while both were attending UBC. They were married on March 14, 1954 in Victoria, and moved to North Vancouver shortly thereafter. They bought a large old house at 2210 Bowser Avenue which they lovingly restored over the coming years. It was the haven where they brought up their family of two sons, and a daughter. This house was where they remained until 2006.
Allie was a case worker and later supervisor from 1949-1956 in Victoria, and went on to work for the Vancouver Children’s Aid Society and Family Service in North Vancouver. Her last position, before her retirement in 1970, was as a social worker for Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver.
If you asked Allie what her passions were, she would answer gardening, particularly growing flowers, many of which were over-wintered in a large basement filled with tables and grow lights. It was a colourful sea of mostly begonias and geraniums which were moved outside every spring to create the beautiful gardens she was well known for in her neighbourhood. The flowers, dried and pressed, evolved into buttons and cards, distributed under the imprint “Handcrafted by Allie”.
Writing was another interest of Allie’s and she leaves behind a cherished collection of essays, short stories, memoirs, and poems which give an insight into her happy childhood and full life. Children, her own and others, wove in and out of her life sometimes creating the backdrop or characters in her literary work.
Allie was an amazing woman. She was one of those people who simply made life so much happier with her presence.
She is survived by her daughter Vanessa (Cindy) Mountain, sons Cam and Scott Bleackley, grandchildren Cory, Troy, Samantha, Josh, Ben and Aaron, and their families. Allie is predeceased by her husband of 58 years Clarence Bleackley, sister Evelyn Vincent, and brother Duart MacLean.
There will be a celebration of life for Alison at …
In Lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to World Vision Canada
There will be two celebrations of life for Alison:
• Family and Friends, Saturday, Apr 7th, 10 AM - Noon, Anne MacDonald Studio,(lovingly known as The Anne Mac) is a historic church adjacent to Presentation House, 333 Chesterfield Ave, North Vancouver, BC
• Cap Care Residents, Tuesday, Apr 3rd, 2 PM, Capilano Care Centre - Lower Lounge, 525 Clyde Avenue, West Vancouver, BC
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