In Loving Memory

Olsson, Alison Isabel Our mum Al had an amazing 88-year-long life! On Thursday the 19th of February 2026 mum died peacefully at Villa Östergård in Partille. John had arrived to be with her, but Tim and I were still on our way. Alison was predeceased by her husband Gay Olsson who died in 1996. She will be forever loved, remembered and missed by her children John Lagerblad (Carina Lagerblad) and Mia Wright (Tim Wright). Al was an amazing fixer and doer as a mum. Picnics. A DIY mum’s preschool. And then plucking us up and whisking us off to the other side of the world, where the picnics were endless, the animals improbable and cute, and the amazingly welcoming people were somehow family members. How could that be? Later she was a very engaged, creative and loving grandmother to her five grandchildren Oliver and Sebastian Lagerblad and Thalia, Ossian and Ella Wright. When the kids where small there very frequent treasure hunts consisting of small written clues hidden beneath pots or hidden in gateposts. She will be greatly missed by her extended family and friends in Sweden, Canada, Australia, and throughout the world. Alison was the last of five siblings to pass away. She was preceded by her bothers Bruce, Gordon and Peter and her sister Jean. Alison enjoyed a wonderful, adventurous and happy life. She had many amazing friends in Sweden whom she cared for very much. She made it important to keep the connection with her big and wonderful international family alive. Alison was happiest when she was with family and friends. She did not much like being alone. She has been described as vibrant, clever, independent, honest, kind, brave, creative, problem-solving, principled, caring and fun to be with. She was someone who dared to say her opinion. Adventures Alison took a masters degree in Geography at Sidney University before starting to work for a bank in the city. Her career was put on pause when she decided to travel the world with her two best friends. The three friends travelled by ship to Europe. They lived and worked in London to save up some money so they could see the rest of Europe. They toured the continent in a small Ford Anglia (latterly made famous in Harry Potter). During their tour of Europe they sometimes had to stop to sleep in haystacks along the way to save money. At the end of their tour of Europe, the three adventurers had sold the car. Alison and one of her friends were standing by the roadside in Helsingborg, Sweden, hitchhiking to a YWCA event in Copenhagen which her friends wanted to attend. They got a lift with a tall, dark, handsome Swedish man who gave them both a lift to Malmö ferry terminal. The Swedish man, Gay, could only say a few words in English. He fell for Alison straight away and told her that if it rained in Denmark and she changed her mind, he would be waiting for her by the quayside in Malmö. It rained. She took the ferry back to Sweden the following day. Gay was indeed waiting in the harbour. They drove straight to Älmhult where Guys parents lived. She felt very welcome at Gay’s family home. Al said both Gay and the Swedish family were a case of love at first sight. After a couple of weeks in Sweden Al went back to London, where her 10-year-older brother Gordon and his wife Pat lived. Together with Pat’s brother Bill, they gave Alison a talking to about how dangerous it was to hitchhike, and they all tried to persuade her to not go back to Sweden. Bruce and Mary were also in London at the time. She did not listen to the advice. She went. After three weeks Gay and Alison got engaged. And before a year had gone by they were married. Alison had to learn Swedish very fast. John and Mia were born. Alison built her new life in Sweden. Her poor parents did not see her for 7 years. That’s how long it took her to save up for a ticket for her and the children. Gay stayed in Sweden. He loved driving a Volvo at top speed, but was terrified of flying. After taking care of the children when they were small, Alison got a job at Volvo trucks and worked there for most of her career within the marketing department. She will be so loved and missed, and her stories will be remembered and told. How lucky we are to have had Mum/grandmother/Alison in our lives, for everything she has inspired us with and taught us. May her soul enjoy new adventures, Love you mum