Alison Emile Bjork 3/18/1955 – 12/5/2023

Alison Emile Bjork was born in Seattle, Washington on March 18, 1955, and grew up in a multitude of places before settling in Southern New Jersey…a place she would ultimately call home. Alison attended the University of Delaware, where she graduated with a degree in Equine Science.

Alison was an accomplished horsewoman…excelling in every aspect. She rode, showed, coached, trained and judged across the country, garnering countless awards, accolades, and most importantly, wonderful, loving, loyal friends. Alison brought horses into all of our lives with a force that was unstoppable. As a family, we lived and breathed horses. Horses brought joy and togetherness, and as our father would often say, "kept the girls out of trouble". Horses deepened the bond Alison shared with her "little" sister, Tracy. The sisters traveled across the country together, with Alison training and Tracy on board. Awards were won, successes shared, but love, comradery, laughter, and togetherness were the truest rewards.

Although horses often took center stage, Alison was a woman of many talents. She excelled as a gourmet cook, baker, artist, decorator and gardener. As a young woman, Alison started a catering business, which flourished in Atlantic City. Later in life, Alison and her mother purchased The White Dove Cottage, a bed and breakfast, in the country's oldest seaside resort, Cape May, New Jersey. She created the ultimate B&B experience for guests, serving her legendary four-course breakfasts. Her inn was often showcased on tours, and her Christmas décor was beyond spectacular. Alison's baking was, more often than not, a big winner on the ever-popular "Cape May Chocolate Tour". Alison loved to create beauty, to entertain, to be the consummate hostess, but what truly mattered was her friendships. Alison hosted "girls' night" every week with her Cape May "besties", where they would have cocktails, eat take-out, talk, laugh and just be together.

Alison's final move brought her to Georgetown, Kentucky, where she retired and was able to explore the world of horse racing. She embraced the sport with exuberance and keen desire to learn. Alison became active in racing clubs and enjoyed watching her winners. In the truest Alison fashion, she formed wonderful friendships that would last until the end.

The constant threads throughout Alison's life were love, loyalty, family and friendship. Alison was a fierce friend. If you were in, that was it. If you needed something, no question. She would sit with you in the hospital, be your advocate, vanquish your bullies, and prop you up when you needed it. You could count on her. She was whip-smart, funny, witty, sardonic, pragmatic, straight-forward and real. What you saw is what you got. Always. You could count on it. She will be missed so very much, by so very many.

Alison passed away very peacefully on December 5, 2023, in hospice care. Alison is survived by her sister, Tracy Thompson, brother-in-law, John Sisterson, niece, Taylor Thompson, and nephew, Richard Thompson.