Theresa Alison Smyth, known to all as Alison, passed away in Carlisle on February 28 following a long illness. Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, on August 27, 1988, to a Foreign Service family, she subsequently lived in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Jamaica before returning to the United States to complete high school.

A 2006 valedictorian of South Lakes High School, Reston,Virginia, Alison was a student at the University of Virginia pursuing a dual major in psychology and biology, reflecting her keen interest in animal behavior, her skills in animal spotting and tracking, and her talent for conflict resolution. Fearless in all endeavors and deeply contemptuous of all hypocrisy or cruelty, she enjoyed rock climbing, hiking, literature, knitting, aquatics, and the theater, and was unreservedly devoted to her family and friends.

Known for her quick wit, curiosity, intelligence, and all-encompassing compassion, Alison leaves behind her grieving parents, Janice and Richard Smyth of Carlisle, her dear sister, Caitlin Smyth of Newport News, Virginia, grandmother, Kathleen Sullivan of Atlanta, Georgia, grandparents, Ronald and Alyce Smyth of Bend, Oregon, loving uncles, aunts, cousins and her beloved friends. Her father is currently detailed to the Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute at the U.S. Army War College.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2010, at 3:00 p.m., with visitation from 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. in the Ewing Brothers Funeral Home, 630 S. Hanover St., Carlisle, with Rev. Duane Fickeisen officiating. Following the service, family and friends will be received at the Smyth residence. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Alison's memory to one of her favorite charities, the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 10 Winchester Rd., Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies or to Horse Power for Life, 219 Prescott Dr., Chester Spring, PA 19425.