Alison Leibold Sturdevant

Alison will be remembered for her determination, resilience, and sense of playfulness even as she endured many health and other challenges throughout her life. Alison did not shrink from any of these challenges. As one of her caregivers said, she was “feisty.” She fought through setbacks, always smiling on the other side and returning to the games, music, and dancing that she loved. Even when bound to a walker or wheelchair, friends recounted how she swayed and stomped to music, including especially her favorite song of all time, the Eagles’ Hotel California. When she got the chance, she would use it as her party piece whenever karaoke was on the menu. Unfortunately for her brothers--lifelong Philadelphia Eagles fans--she loved the band rather than the football team, at least when the Eagles took on her beloved Dallas Cowboys.

Alison Sturdevant was born Alison Aubry Leibold on March 8, 1960 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. She was the second of three children of Arthur W. Leibold and Nora Collins Leibold. As a young girl she delighted in looking out the window and watching cars with her dad, who liked to call her “Pookuns.” Playing games with her two brothers, singing and dancing, and curling up on the couch to watch a TV program were some of her favorite things to do as a child, both in Pennsylvania and later in Virginia. While she never sought fame through the Guinness Book of World records, she could have competed for most backgammon games played under the age of 18! She battled significant health challenges during her childhood, yet bravely endured them all. They did not deter her from enthusiastically embracing life.

Alison attended Yorktown High School in Arlington, VA, graduating in 1978. She pursued numerous extracurriculars at Yorktown, participating in the acting troupe, serving as the stage manager for the theater department, managing the soccer team, and becoming president of the dance company. She was very proud of her participation on the Washington Golf and Country Club diving team during the summers.

A graduate of Barry University in Miami, Florida, Alison moved to Texas to train as a Montessori teacher in 1982. Teaching young children was a fitting profession for Alison because of her perennial, youthful enthusiasm. Alison had dyslexia and attended school before students with learning difficulties were provided individualized educational plans. Alison graduated from Barry with a teaching degree, offering creative and adaptive approaches to her students that would have benefited her in her own learning journey. Known as “Miss Alison” by her younger students, she taught for nearly 40 years in Texas private and public schools in the Houston and Dallas metropolitan areas. She loved teaching young children, saving her lesson plans for years after retirement in case she ever returned to the classroom.

Texas is also where Alison met her husband Mark Sturdevant, who shared her sense of fun and love of music. They were married on June 24, 1989 at a lively wedding where Alison and her folk dancing troupe entertained the guests with swirling skirts and rhythmic steps. Alison and Mark are survived by two daughters, Heather and Sarah. Alison took great pride in the varied activities of her daughters, whether in music or theater or sports, and was so happy to celebrate each of their weddings with them.

Alison spent most of her retirement years at Atria Senior Living at Hometown in North Richland Hills, Texas. True to character, she participated enthusiastically in games and dancing, as well as meals out where Alison made it clear that she loved ranch dressing but couldn’t tolerate pepper or tomatoes! Alison loved the Atria community and the fun, family-like atmosphere, and they in turn appreciated and loved her.

Alison also enjoyed celebrating holidays, birthdays, and the Dallas Cowboys. A tribute to Alison’s life was offered at Atria shortly after her death at the bi-weekly ‘bean bag baseball’ game, where Alison could always be counted on to scoot around the room and lead a rousing rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the 7th inning stretch. Her role at Bean Bag Baseball perfectly captured her most cherished interests: singing, cheering, encouraging enthusiasm and participation by everyone, including those overcoming challenges. In her honor, a dozen family members led a rousing rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at her tribute, after which friends and family shared touching and funny remembrances of Alison at an ice cream social.

Alison is predeceased by her husband Mark, her parents-in-law Eva and Don Sturdevant, and her sister-in-law Jan Sturdevant. She is survived by her daughters Heather Hausenfluke (Evan) and Sarah Basco (Khione) as well as her parents, Nora and Art Leibold, her brother Art Leibold (Charlotte), her brother Pete Leibold (Liz McCloskey), her brother-in-law Jim Sturdevant (Becky), and several nieces and nephews.

While no one knows what heaven will look like, if Alison has her way she will be dancing with angels, beseeching them to play more games, and sipping tea from her favorite Snoopy mug, all with a huge smile on her face.

A memorial Mass and burial service will be held in Virginia this fall, where Alison will be laid to rest at Cool Springs Natural Cemetery in Berryville.