Good morning, I'm Vera,
Betty MacDonald's fabulous sister Alison Bard Burnett would celebrate her 90 th birthday on June 25, 2010.
Alison Bard Burnett born June 25, 1920 at the family home in Laurelhurst, Washington and passed away December 23rd 2009 at Vashon Community Care Center where she had resided for the past four years.
Alison loved to entertain, was a passionate gardener, fabulous cook, talented decorator, and a gifted writer. She loved music, especially jazz, and was a wonderful dancer. She loved dogs and was a fierce champion of fairness. She will be best remembered for her warmth, generosity and infectious laughter.
We can read this in Alison Bard Burnett's obituary. Alison Bard Burnett was a gifted writer and story-teller.
Alison Bard Burnett wanted to write her autobiography. It's not easy at all to do this if you have two worldfamous sisters, authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard.
We all know Alison Bard Burnett never wrote her book but something happend.
Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award, interviewed Alison Bard Burnett several times in Seattle in 1996. Years later our dear Linde Lund and other Betty MacDonald Fans heard of Wolfgang Hampel's interviews and eventually these Betty MacDonald treasure items had been published on CD and DVD. More Wolfgang Hampel interviews will follow. Thanks a Million dear Linde Lund and your Betty MacDonald Fan Club Team for doing this!
We guess Alison Bard Burnett would be very surprised about this but you are delighted if you listen to her golden Bard Memories about her father Darsie Bard, who died 6 months before she was born. Alison Bard Burnett's magical stories about her mother Sydney Bard, grandmother Gammy, sister Betty MacDonald, Betty's husbands Robert Eugene Heskett and Donald MacDonald, Betty's daughters Anne and Joan, sister Mary Bard and her husband Dr. Clyde Jensen,. brother Cleve Bard, adopted sister Madge Baldwin, Betty MacDonald's friend Monica Sone, the 'Kettle' family, Nancy and Plum and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle are unique.
The favourite Alison Bard Burnett memories are about her sister Dede whose real name was Dorothea Goldsmith and her very good friend Mike Gordon who felt in love with Betty.
Especially touching are Alison Bard Burnett's memories of family life in Laurelhurst, Chimacum, in the University District in Seattle, on Vashon Island and in Carmel Valley.
It is moving to see Betty MacDonald's sister Alison Bard Burnett visiting the houses in the University District and Laurelhurst, where she was born. Alison visited it with Wolfgang Hampel. She saw it again for the first time after the Bard family left it. A very special moment!
As other Betty MacDonald and Alison Bard Burnett fans mentioned:
Betty MacDonald wasn't crazy about Sport. Betty MacDonald's very witty sister Alison Bard Burnett was the opposite. She loved it.
I have to laugh tears about Betty MacDonald's very witty sister Alison Bard Burnett describing the behaviour of men in her interviews with Wolfgang Hampel. This is so real and funny.
Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983.
That's what Wolfgang Hampel wrote about his experiences with unique Alison Bard Burnett.
Alison Bard Burnett
(June 25, 1920 - December 23, 2009)
I met Alison Bard Burnett in Seattle and we had such a great time. She told the most interesting and very funny treasure stories about her family especially her famous sisters Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard.
We visited all the places, the house in the University District, Roosevelt High School and the house in Laurelhurst where Alison was born 6 months after her father Darsie Bard died.
I won't ever forget it because it was such a wonderful experience to meet this great lady! How we drove with Alison's VW through Seattle. She was full of life and so very, very witty!
Thanks A Million dear Alison! You are always in my heart!!
All my love to you and your wonderful family!
Wolfgang Hampel
As Wolfgang Hampel wrote, Alison Bard Burnett was full of life and so very, very witty.
Although Alison Bard Burnett never wrote a book of her own she is as popular now as her sisters Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard. Alison Bard Burnett's gift as a storyteller delights her fans in 26 countries. Alison Bard Burnett is world famous now and in our hearts forever!
Vera
Alison Bard Burnett, Betty MacDonald's and Mary Bard's brilliant sister, beloved all over the world. Her very funny and witty interviews with Wolfgang Hampel about her famous sisters Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard are real treasures.
http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/
Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/
Wolfgang Hampel Society
Wolfgang Hampel, winner of first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award, author, journalist, artist, poet
http://wolfganghampelsociety.blogspot.com/
Wolfgang Hampel Fan Club
Wolfgang Hampel interviewed Betty MacDonald's family and friends and many other famous artists and writers. Wolfgang Hampel is also famous for his satirical poems and stories.
http://wolfganghampelfanclub.blogspot.com/
Gwen Grant's website
http://www.gwengrant.co.uk/
Gwen Grant, beloved writer and Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honour Member
http://gwengrantsociety.blogspot.com/
Alison Bard Burnett, Betty MacDonald's and Mary Bard's brilliant sister, beloved all over the world. Her very funny and witty interviews with Wolfgang Hampel about her famous sisters Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard are real treasures.
http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/
Ma and Pa Kettle Society
http://maandpakettlesociety.blogspot.com/2010/05/betty-macdonalds-ma-and-pa-kettle.html
Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bettymacdonald/
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Alison Bard Burnett, Betty MacDonald's and Mary Bard's brilliant sister, beloved all over the world. Her very funny and witty interviews with Wolfgang Hampel about her famous sisters Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard are real treasures.
http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Linde Lund created the Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone and Wolfgang Hampel Blogs
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15388942569315864610
Betty MacDonald Interviews on CD and DVD
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/06/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items-comments.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-fan-club-items.html
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/2009/07/betty-macdonald-interviews-on-cddvd_17.html
Betty MacDonald Community
http://bettymacdonaldcommunity.blogspot.com/
You can find more info about our Betty MacDonald projects and events in the future.
Wolfgang Hampel, author of the Betty MacDonald Biography and winner of the first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Society in 1983. We are the largest Betty MacDonald Fan Club in the world - with members in 26 countries. Join our wonderful international Betty MacDonald Community!
We have tons of fun!
Betty MacDonald - Fan Club of Betty MacDonald and Society of Betty MacDonald
http://bettymacdonald.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Fan Club
http://bettymacdonaldfanclub.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Forum
http://bettymacdonaldforum.blogspot.com/
Betty MacDonald Society
http://bettymacdonaldsociety.blogspot.com/
Mary Bard Society
http://marybardsociety.blogspot.com/
Alison Bard Burnett Fan Club and Society
http://alisonbard.blogspot.com/
Nancy and Plum Fan Club
http://nancyandplumfanclub.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Fan Club
http://pigglewigglefanclub.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone, author of Nisei Daughter, Betty MacDonald's friend, described as Kimi in The Plague and I, honour member of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://monicasone.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Society
http://monicasonesociety.blogspot.com/
Monica Sone Fan Club
http://monicasonefanclub.blogspot.com/
Darsie Beck Artist and writer of Your Essential Nature - A Practical Guide to Greater Creativity and Spiritual Harmony - nephew of authors Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard - Honour Member of Betty MacDonald Society and Fan Club
http://darsiebeck.blogspot.com/
Wolfgang Hampel Founder of Betty MacDonald Fan Club and Betty MacDonald Society
http://wolfganghampel.blogspot.com/
Wolfgang Hampel Society
Wolfgang Hampel, winner of first Betty MacDonald Memorial Award, author, journalist, artist, poet
http://wolfganghampelsociety.blogspot.com/
Wolfgang Hampel Fan Club
Wolfgang Hampel interviewed Betty MacDonald's family and friends and many other famous artists and writers. Wolfgang Hampel is also famous for his satirical poems and stories.
http://wolfganghampelfanclub.blogspot.com/