San Francisco

It is with great sadness that the family of Alison MacDonald announce her passing on December 30, 2024, at the age of 39. Alison will forever be remembered by her father Jock, her sister Lindsay, her extended family and her many friends.

Alison was born and raised in Mill Valley; she started her education at Park School Elementary, attended Mill Valley Middle School, and graduated from Tamalpais High School, where she played soccer and water polo, and was actively involved in the school's Drama department, CTE. Alison thrived at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she earned her degree in Business, made lifelong friends, and welcomed her beloved cat, Conan, into her life. After her college years, Alison settled in the Marina District of San Francisco, finding joy in her treasured apartment near the Palace of Fine Arts and Crissy Field.

Alison had a tremendously successful career, seamlessly transitioning through top tech companies, with each role marking a significant step up the ladder to her ultimate position as Senior Program Manager at Gartner. Along the way, she held roles at New Relic, Benz Communications, Achievers, and Trilogy Integrated Resources. Notably, Alison valued the friendships she formed with colleagues, sustaining these relationships throughout her professional journey, and welcoming them into her personal life.

Determined and confident, she set high goals and worked tirelessly to achieve them. Alison had a special knack for making everyone feel loved and appreciated, always ready to lend a helping hand. Alison was passionate about fitness and loved a good workout, often encouraging her friends to join her for a class at Barry's, SoulCycle, or a Peloton ride.

Alison also had a wide range of interests, including cooking, camping, skiing, traveling, and attending music festivals and concerts. She loved listening to Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga and greatly enjoyed her trips back to England to visit family, as well as the time spent with her beloved cats. Known for her great taste and understanding of her friends, Alison was a master party planner, making every event she organized memorable. Most importantly, she deeply loved and cherished her family, especially her late mother, Pauline, who was a guiding light in her life.

Her radiant smile was infectious and her absence will leave a hole in many hearts. A Celebration of her Life will be held at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, on Saturday February 1, between 2 and 5pm. No flowers please. I lieu of flowers you can donate to your favorite charity in Alison's name.