Dear daughter, granddaughter, sister, friend, volunteer. You will be missed.
From Memorial: Jane W.: Jun 29, 2014 09:26 Thank you, Ali. Your work will live on. <3 Kelly C.: Jun 29, 2014 10:37 Ali, WAAD was such a passion of your. We promise to carry your work on. May your family find peace. God bless. Jane W.: Jun 29, 2014 09:26 Thank you, Ali. Your work will live on. <3 Dear McKenzie family, I am so saddened by Ali's passing. Such a shock for us, I can't imagine how hard it has been for all of you. I did now know Ali personally, but knew her through her volunteer work with IFAA. She was a hard worker and so dedicated to spreading awareness and kindness regarding her illness. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. "When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure" -unknown. We will continue to treasure Ali through our work. Sincerely, Kelly Thank you for sharing the beautiful pictures of Ali through the different stages of her life. I get a warm feeling knowing that she had such a full life, great friends, and a loving family. You're all in my thoughts. Ali had such a kind face to go with that kind heart of hers. A gentle soul. I'm still sad...love,marie It breaks my heart knowing the world has lost such a kind soul. I've known Ali for ages...i believe since we were in Daisy's together. We were pretty much attached at the hip during our school years. I really feel blessed by having her in my life, and being able to count her as a friend (she was family to my parents and me). And, I know that every time I see a penguin, I will think of her. Angie Rackley
To the Family- Meg and I wish you the deepest consolation that Ali is at peace and in the company of Grandma and Grandpa. Ali's soul was and is one of the most kind, gentle and humble I have known. She has brought joy and pride and inspiration into the lives around her. She also suffered during her time, which is to be admired and honored in the deepest sense. Ali will continue to influence us in profound ways as we reflect on her suffering and her triumphs, gifts, kindness and love...in light of our own. With Love, Rian and Meg Ali, we will miss your amazing spirit and passion for life and for Autoimmune Arthritis advocacy. You were so energetic and enthusiastic and funny, and you taught me a lot about being spontaneous and living in the moment. I will miss your happy email communications, and regret the fact that I never had the chance to meet you in person; but I consider myself very lucky to have had the chance to work with you on a professional level here at the International Foundation for Autoimmune Arthritis. You helped do great things that will assist so many autoimmune arthritis sufferers in the future, and we are so grateful for your efforts. Thank you for being such an amazing Volunteer, and for being my friend. Tami Brown I only became friends with Ali but a few months ago. We discovered that her and my daughter were almost the same age, and they also living very close to one another. There were some tough things I was going through, yet Ali was always there to cheer me on, & tell me to move past it, and I did. She loved anything to do with "art" whether online or not I gather. I know she Loved one of the Huge Graphics programs that she used frequently to help with graphics for IFAA & I am sure others. We both had a "tie" there also, because I love graphics, and loved all of the online items as well as oil painting also. Ali, you are so missed, and shall be from now until we get to see your smiling face at Heaven's Gates! I am sure you will be there waiting for each of us! You shall remain always in my thoughts, memories, and in my heart. I carry your story to tell everywhere I go. I want the world to know what a brilliant, kind and noble young woman you were while here and forevernore until I see you again. Much love, and much comfort to Family, Mom, and all of her friends. In deepest Sympathy, Rhia, Jim and my family.
Although I never had the honor of knowing Ali personally, I know of all the great things she has done in her brief time here on earth. She was a beautiful person and is truly missed by all. These diseases are so hard on our bodies and sometimes we just are not strong enough to win the battle. But, Ali was a fighter, for herself and for the rest of us. I know that she is pain free now and has a much bigger plan in store for her. My sincere condolences to her family and thank you for sharing your beautiful daughter with all of us. Sincerely, Mary Lynn Reynolds Thank you for being such an amazing person! I appreciate all you did to help us get rid of these horrible diseases. Deeanne Quist Ali was an amazing Volunteer for the International Foundation for Autoimmune Arthritis (IFAA). Her dedication to this team was so strong and well-known that the family has asked that the organization be represented at her memorial, which in part is being hosted today, online, so the world can send their well wishes to the family and their goodbyes to Ali herself. Ali's work at IFAA lasted for the duration of a year. She came to us in March of 2013 to inquire about helping with World Autoimmune Arthritis Day 2013. (WAAD13) After her volunteer work with this event was over, she eagerly joined on as an 'active volunteer', or a helper that donates about 30 minutes, on average, a week to the cause. Throughout the year Ali was most interested in helping out with advertising, organizing documents within our programs, and helping on graphics and anything creative. As 2014 began, she again signed on to assist with World Autoimmune Arthritis Day 2014, held on May 19th-21st, right here in this very online convention site. She participated prior to the event by assisting with building the exhibitor booths and by reviewing the study published in the Early Symptoms Study booth which we kept live for this memorial. This way attendees can learn more about her disease and what type of work she was passionate about within the organization. World Autoimmune Arthritis Day 2014 was the last volunteer contribution made to IFAA. Since she came to us because of WAAD, and ended her voluntering hosting live chats during WAAD, we felt it was fitting to reopen the convention site that housed to event to say goodbye to our friend. Thank you for all you've done for the Autoimmune Arthritis community, Ali. You will be missed. -The IFAA Team