Tribute to my Granny Bird

Alison was born in Perth, Western Australia on August 7, 1926, to John Whitton and Annie Elizabeth Badelier Whitton. Alison talked with joy of her early childhood in Glen Forest, West Australia., where her family lived at the edge of the Great Australian Bush, allowing her the freedom to roam the hills and forest at will. 

As a teenager living in Claremont near the beaches of Perth, Alison loved to swim in the Indian Ocean, once escaping a shark alert by scrambling onto a buoy where she waited all afternoon for the "all-clear." At Perth Modern School, Alison was a member of the Women's Basketball Team, described as "dependable, a good dodger and a very good jumper," critical skills given her five-foot frame.

As WWII was winding down, Alison met a sailor, Grant Reeder, who was deployed as an Electrician's Mate on the USS Blower, stationed at the U.S. Submarine Base in Freemantle, W.A. Grant sought out and attended the local LDS Branch in Perth and the Whitton's, known for reaching out and befriending all, invited Grant to their home for Sunday dinners. Decades later, Alison recounted the first time she saw Grant, she knew she would marry him. Their first kiss occurred on V-J Day, when Japan surrendered, ending WWII. The streets of Perth were crowded with celebration and Grant, along with other sailors, were randomly kissing all the pretty girls in the streets. Grant only realized afterwards that he had just kissed Alison, "A Kiss to Build a Dream On," as Alison loved to sing. He then spent the rest of the celebration with Alison. 

After the war, Alison and her family immigrated to "Zion." She described playing in Utah snow for the first time as a pure delight, but she was never comfortable driving on slick roads. She did however love driving through puddles of slush; the bigger the better. Alison worked as a seamstress in Ogden, Utah while Grant served his LDS mission. They were married in the LDS Logan Temple on December 29, 1948 and lived for a short time at the family farm in Corrine in a small, one room building, with no running water and an outhouse across the street. It was in Corrine where Alison's kindly mother-in-law (Ada Madsen Reeder) taught her to bake bread in a coal fired oven. She baked bread and rolls for the rest of her life. 

Alison created a refuge of peace for her family in every home, first in Logan then in Salt Lake City. By the time Grant completed his education they had three boys, living in a small, two-room apartment at the U. of U.'s Stadium Village. Boy's 4 and 5 were born while living in Garland, Utah, Grant delivering the fifth boy late on New Year's Eve due to an absent doctor. In Bountiful, Utah they welcomed boy number 6, then finally a girl (wahoo for Alison!) and then another boy. 

Alison was unwavering in her faith, always a reminder to her friends and progeny of what mattered most to her throughout her life. In her quiet, unquestioning way, she could answer a searching voice with love and concern without criticism or condescension. Alison served many callings in her LDS wards, her example of service was without equal, especially helping with the aged and infirmed without prompting. In her mid 60's she was called to serve as a private aid to President Ezra T. and Sister Flora Benson. She initially refused the calling, being overwhelmed with their positions, but when reminded of why she was called, she accepted and then served them with a gentle love and respect through the end of their lives. In their late-70s Alison and Grant served a full time LDS mission in Cochabamba Bolivia.

Alison is preceded in death by her husband Grant, her son Mark (Linda Lloyd), her parents, her sisters Grace, Jean, Margot, Mary and brother Ian. She is survived by her sisters Helen and Eluned, children Brian, Stuart, Russell (Holly), Bruce (Christine), Owen (Kara), Suzanne Hill (Gary) and Joel (Andrea), 33 grandchildren, and 32 great-grandchildren (including a chubby, great-grandson born eight hours after Alison left us) and many loving nieces and nephews.