Alison Amy Jane Marshall

November 23, 1976 – May 4, 2026

It is with the deepest of sadness that the family of Alison Amy Jane Marshall announces her passing on May 4, 2026 at the age of 49 years after a courageous battle with cancer.

Alison was born in Innisfail, Alberta and grew up on the family farm in the Aberdeen area East of Innisfail. Farm life instilled a love of animals in Alison that remained with her right up to her passing with many nurses being shown pictures of new calves, horses and one of her favorites, Liam the Highland bull.

Alison completed her schooling in Innisfail and pursued an education degree at the University of Alberta after graduation. She began her teaching career at Ross Shepard High School in Edmonton, eventually moving to Hunting Hills High School in Red Deer. Alison put all she had into everything she did and teaching was no exception. She had a profound influence on her students, with many of them staying in touch with her long after they graduated. Her dedication to her students and effective teaching styles were honoured in 2005 when she received an Excellence in Teaching award for Innovative use of technology.

Alison was very active in the community and her passion for volunteering was evident to all those around her. Parent council boards for schools, area director for Crime Watch, the Innisfail Farmer/Farmerette Bonspiel Committee and fundraising for the Friends of the Penhold Library were just a few of the many causes she put her whole heart into. She was also the treasurer of the local Westholm School District Society and the smiles on the neighbouring kids’ faces were all the payment she needed for the countless hours spent planning Christmas and Easter events.

Alison first met the love of her life, Todd, in school as they were in the same grade in Innisfail. It was in a Chemistry 30 class that a slight shine started to develop. Though they remained friends, the two lost touch when Alison decided to go directly to the University of Alberta after graduating high school while Todd took his first year at Red Deer College. The University of Alberta campus is big, and Alison and Todd never connected again until the fateful evening her dad told a homesick Alison to take a drive to the University Farm. Todd, who worked on the University farm with the canola breeding team, happened to be leaving late that night and the two passed in their vehicles. Both immediately looked in their rearview mirrors to see the other’s brake lights come on. A conversation ensued, leading to a plot tour and a plan for a movie the following night. This would become the start of a twenty-eight year journey together.

Alison and Todd lived in Edmonton for a few years and were happy to move back closer to home when they both landed jobs in Red Deer. The couple was married in Innisfail on August 11, 2001 and lived in Red Deer for eleven years, raising two sons in the process. In 2012, an opportunity came up to homestead an acreage on Todd’s family farm and even though Alison was pregnant, they jumped at the opportunity. Alison immediately started designing her dream home which had to be a two-storey to get a better view of the mountains over the river valley. The acreage became a labour of love with endless hours spent planting trees, building structures and hand placing loader buckets of rocks in Alison’s prized garden. The family continued to grow with the birth of their daughter and a dog, cats, chickens and horses were added to the mix as the couple created their own little piece of paradise.

Alison spent much of the last four months in the hospital, but Todd was always happy to bring her home on day passes to see the family legacy that she was instrumental in creating.

While her focus was always on helping others, nothing compared to Alison’s dedication and devotion to her family. Left with broken hearts are her husband of 24 years Todd and children Greyson, Dillon and Addison. She will be sorely missed by her mother Maggie (Don) Macintyre, father Mike (Lynne) Dulaney and in laws Larry and Karen Marshall. Alison will also be lovingly remembered by her sisters Laurie (Dean) Chicoine, Marnie (Doug) Mears, Deb Chicoine and brothers Joe (Tara) Chicoine and Ben (Renata) Dulaney. Numerous nieces and nephews, as well as too many friends to mention, also had their lives enriched by Alison’s loving kindness, generous spirit and beautiful soul.

The Family would like to thank the team of doctors at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary for their care and calming influence in her diagnosis. Dr. Hall and the nurses in the Red Deer Hospital intensive care unit not only provided unbelievable care to Alison in her final days but also offered compassion and comfort to Todd and the family during a very difficult time. Our biggest thank you goes to the nurses in acute care at the Innisfail Health Centre, who became like family to Alison during her extended stay.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Alison’s life may do so through a donation to the Innisfail Health Centre Fundraising Committee at 5023 – 42 Street, Innisfail, Alberta T4G 1A9. In respect of Alison’s wishes, a funeral service will not be held. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Ordinary no, really don’t think so

Not a love this true

Common Destiny

We were meant to be

Me and you

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006

• Date : 2026-05-17
• Location : Heartland Funeral Services (Innisfail) www.heartlandfuneralservices.com 403.227.0006