GERDA ELISABETH ALLISON, M.D.,

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GERDA ELISABETH ALLISON, M.D., B.Sc (MED), F.R.C.P.(C) Gerda Elisabeth Allison, M.D., B.Sc(MED), F.R.C.P.(C), (nee Fremming), passed away peacefully in Toronto on Sunday, January 29, 2006 with her family members by her bedside. Dr. Allison was born September 17, 1913 in Winnipeg, MB, the eldest daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Charles C.S. Fremming. She was educated in Winnipeg at St. Mary's Academy and then graduated from the University of Manitoba with an M.D. degree, class of 1937. At graduation, she won three medals: the University of Manitoba Gold Medal, the Gold Medal in Surgery, and the Manitoba Medical Association Gold Medal for the highest standing in the course. In 1957, she was certified in Psychiatry becoming Manitoba's first woman psychiatrist and later the first woman President of the Manitoba Psychiatric Association. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Dr. Frederick Gerard Allison in 1989 along with whom she was an Associate Professor in the Faculties of Medicine and Psychiatry respectively at the University of Manitoba Health Sciences Centre. She was predeceased also by her brother Charles Fremming in 1984; and by her sister Mrs. Austin Douglas (Jean) of Ottawa, ON in 2005. Dr. Allison is survived by her beloved children, Dr. Richard Gerard Allison and his wife Robin of Fairview, TX and his children Richard Gerard, of California and Caroline Allison and her partner Dr. Dan Engfer of Arlington, VA; daughter Rosemary, her husband Lyle W. Norrie and their children Jennifer Allison Booth and her husband Patrick of London, England and John Gerard, of Toronto, ON and daughter Lorraine C. Ellis and children Barbara and Pamela of Calgary, AB and four great-grandchildren, Hunter Gerard, Ella Anne and Eric Lewin Allison of California and Katherine Elisabeth Allison Booth of London, England. Left to mourn also are her sisters, Mrs. Brooks Russell (Ellen) of Seattle, WA; and sister-in-law Agathe Fremming of Burnaby, BC; family members in Denmark; several cousins, nieces, nephews and devoted friends. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 4 at 11:00 a.m. at the Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home and Chapel, 467 Sherbourne St., Toronto, ON M4X 1K5. A private interment will be arranged at a later date in the family plot, Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, Winnipeg, MB. Flowers are gratefully declined. If desired, donations may be made to The National Ballet of Canada, 470 Queen Quay West, Toronto, ON M5V 3K4; the Danish Lutheran Church, 72 Finch Ave. West, Toronto, ON M2N 2H4; or any favourite charity.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 31, 2006