Obituary of Alison S. Bakal

Alison Sue Bakal, 63, went to rest peacefully on March 14, 2022 after a recent diagnosis of metastatic colon, liver and brain cancer. Alison was the daughter of Sid and Arlene Bakal and grew up in New York City where she attended the High School of Art and Design. She always marched to the beat of her own drummer and had a unique view on life, enjoying the eclectic and oddity in art and music. She was a gifted artist herself in many mediums, most recently creating whimsical collages observing everyday life events. She saw the world through her own unique lens and was proud of who she was. At a young age she met her soulmate and partner in life, John Lewis, when they both worked at First Investors corporation. These two unique individuals found a home in each other. They built a life together in Port Richmond, Staten Island where they shared their home with a menagerie of animals of all kinds; cats, birds and snakes, until John’s untimely death in 2005. Alison was a sweet, kind and gentle soul. In spite of her own frail health, she served as her mother’s primary caretaker during Arlene’s final months of life. Upon her mother’s death in 2017, she moved to Ithaca to be close to her sister Wendy and brother-in-law Augie. She came to enjoy the change of pace in this small city and its compassionate and caring community. Alison was predeceased by her parents, Arlene and Sid Bakal, and her husband, John Lewis. She is survived by her sister, Wendy Bakal, brother-in-law, Augie Stagliano, niece, Alexandra Stagliano of New York City and nephew, Danny Stagliano of New Orleans, her beloved fur baby, Fifi, who shared her new adventure in Ithaca from the moment they moved into their apartment together. She is also survived by several loving cousins. The family is indebted to the staff of Cayuga Medical Center for the abundant care and compassion provided to Alison over the last couple of months, and to the angels on earth at Hospicare who enveloped her in love and warmth as she transitioned to the end of her life. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her memory to Hospicare of Ithaca and the TC SPCA. A private celebration of her life will be held this summer.