Dear Friend:
It's with a very heavy heart that I tell you that dear Allison Waldman passed away this evening in Florida. She had battled cancer on and off for many years, but her latest battle was just too tough to conquer.
Most of you know Allison through the books she had written on Barbra over the years. She was the MOST loyal and faithful fan I had the pleasure of knowing for over 12 years. Barbra could do no wrong in Ally's eyes, and it was so refreshing to "talk Barbra" with Allison many times over the years.
Her one wish was to meet Barbra. She told me enough times! Luckily it happened on October 13th last year, backstage at Barbra's Brooklyn concert. I was with her... and dropped her off at her friend's apartment in Manhattan on the way home. She had the biggest grin all the way to the apartment... and couldn't quite believe her luck. I'll never forget that smile, and that night. For her, it was meant to be.
Here's a great shot, backstage at the Brooklyn Concert with myself, Richard Jay-Alexander and Matt Howe (L-R).
We also all loved her weekly "Sunday with Ally" YouTube videos which she had done over the last few years. She recorded her last video just over two weeks ago. You could tell Ally was struggling... but she didn't want to let us down. Maybe she knew the end was near? Just listen to the opening lines of her video "I'm thinking maybe, baby, I'll go away".
Watch her final video here from March 31: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZR5j17GhVU
Thank you to everyone who donated to her "Nothing's Impossible" appeal over the years. It was a real struggle for Allison to pay for her cancer bills... but the Barbra fans really took the edge off, and came to her rescue. Barbra does have the most generous fans in the world.
RIP Allison. Your generosity will never be forgotten. What a MENSCH you were!
xoxo
