“Ali had a way to get me to do stupid things even when I didn’t want to. She loved when I interpreted dance to an 80’s song. In college she made me put on a show at a backyard party. Yes, seats were set up for everyone. Of course, she interpreted danced with me until she couldn’t stop laughing at my ridiculous moves. I never understood how she could get me to dance in the middle of the street or on a bar, but I now looking back on those moment I know I do it because I loved hearing her contagious laugh.”

“I really enjoyed taking walks with Ali and Hula. Every now and then a stranger would say, “Ummm excuse me ma’am, but i think you are dragging your dog behind you.” I’d be lying if i said this only happened a couple times! What can i say, we got in the groove and well, I guess Hula didn’t.”

“I would love to brag to Ali about the amazing deal I just got on my new pink coach purse. She’d be so jealous! I miss the silent competition between us that we never acknowledged…she was like my shopping team mate, always there to absolve me of any guilt from spending too much!”

“I’ll never forget the time Ali organized several PM teachers to perform the dance to “We’re All in This Together” from High School Musical at an assembly.  She had us watch the instructional video over and over until we got it just right.  She even adjusted some of the steps for those of us who were a little less coordinated.  Just as we were about to perform in from of the entire student body, the buses arrived and they started to dismiss 400 students.  That didn’t stop Ali.  She got us out there on the gym floor and had us do the entire routine…with students walking between us.  We did, however, get a standing ovation…from the 10 students who stayed behind to watch.”

“Out of Uniform days had a completely different meaning when Ali was around.  EVERYONE had to dress up on theme days.  She would walk around with props and hats to put on people who didn’t dress up.  And if you refused, she made you wear a sticker to let everyone know how lame you were!”

“Whenever i needed to talk to an adult who wasn’t related to me and would never talk down to me, I always went straight to the library. Ali never judged me, listened to my problems, and gave me advice only when I asked for it. And I always could count on her for a piece of candy to make me feel better!”

“If there ever was a baby to be soothed or put to sleep, Ali was the first to grab that baby and take it right to Sleepytown. Even if the baby was a stranger to her, she was always willing to hold it to help the mom.”

“One time I looked at Ali’s phone and saw 102 emails. I counted 89 from Zulily, Babies R Us, Totsy, the Gap, and eBay. That girl was the queen of finding deals on anything before buying it. She was also addicted to online shopping, I’m afraid.”

“Whenever I needed to dress up for a theme party, I knew exactly who to call. Ali has BINS of random costumes and clothes from all the decades with accessories and wigs to compliment.”

“Ali is the only person I know who could convince her husband to get His & Hers airbrushed t-shirts made on vacation….AND have him wear it!! I just love how Ben would do anything she asked him to do.”