Alison Katherine Ahern of New York, formerly of Needham and Bridgton, Maine, died Sunday,
June 9, 2002, from injuries sustained in a plane crash in Namur, Belgium. She was 23. Ms. Ahern graduated
with the Class of 1996 at Needham High School, where she captained three varsity sports: soccer, basketball
and softball in her senior year. She was a soccer player and student of the game who worked to improve
her goalkeeping skills. In addition to her high school team, she played goalkeeper for a variety of other teams,
including the Boston Bolts Soccer Club, Soccer United North Shore and Commonwealth of Massachusetts
U17 State Team. She was also an avid skier and snow-boarder, winning several Nastar medals at Pleasant
Mountain in Bridgton, Maine.
After graduation from Needham High School, Ms. Ahern entered Columbia College of Columbia University,
Class of 2000. As a freshman, she was the starting goalkeeper for the Columbia varsity women’s soccer
team. She captained the team in her senior year and currently holds most of the goalkeeping records for
women’s soccer. She received many honors and recognitions throughout her formal soccer career
including two All-Ivy League Honorable Mentions.
She loved children, and shared her love of soccer by working as an instructor and coach for teams and
camps locally as well as in New York. Children and parents gravitated to Alison because of her ability to
nurture a child’s budding skills with the right amount of encouragement and patience. Throughout high
school and college, Ms. Ahern supported herself by working as a nanny for several families. She was in
demand, and families would vie for her services. She was also a member of the Columbia University
Bartending Service.
After graduating from Columbia, Ms. Ahern made New York her home. At the time of her death, she was
employed by Ian Schrager Hotels at the Hudson Hotel in Manhattan as an income auditor. As a resident
of New York City, she continued her interest in sports by participating in the New York City Sports Club
women’s basketball league and an indoor soccer league. She also participated in several corporate
challenge runs.
She leaves her parents, John F. "Jack " and Kathleen F. (Sullivan) Ahern; her brother, Pfc. John J. "JJ "
Ahern of the 10th Mountain Division, U.S. Army, Fort Drum, N.Y.; and her sister, Heather A. and her
husband, David Huish, of Farmington, Maine; her nieces, Zoe Elizabeth and Gretchen Ann Huish; and
numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. A funeral was held Wednesday, June 19, from the Eaton Funeral
Home, Needham, followed by a funeral Mass in St. Joseph Church. Burial was in St. Mary Cemetery.
Donations may be made to the Alison K. Ahern Memorial Fund, c/o William F. Brooks Esq., 210 Broadway,
Suite 102, Lynnfield, MA 01940. |