Allison Mary Cheshire (née Tonkinson)

With deep, deep sadness and utterly devastated hearts, we announce the sudden passing of Allison Mary Cheshire (née Tonkinson) on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at the age of 57 years. 

Allison Mary Cheshire (née Tonkinson) born on June 26, 1967 in the Riverside area of Southern California to the loving incredible couple of mother, Eva Marshall (04/03/1929) of Liverpool England, U.K., and father, Elmer James Tonkinson Jr. (05/26/1929) of York, Nebraska, U.S.A. She is the younger sister to her brother, John.  Allison was raised in and spent her younger to teenage years growing up in the Southern California areas of Riverside, Santa Ana, Fontana, and Fountain Valley. Attending Los Amigos High School in Fountain Valley from 1981 to 1985 when she graduated from grade 12.

Allison’s intense loves included 80's heavy metal, hairbands and 70's and 80's classic rock bands. A few big notable standouts are the original line-up of Journey with Steve Perry, Bon Jovi, and the Scorpions. There are dozens of other bands she is equally interested in but these three are definitely at the top of her list. 

She loved animals of all types and owned quite a few before, during, and after her employment at a Southern California Pet Store, which allowed her to have access to the necessary funds to purchase a wide variety of pets including Fire bellied toads, a Russian tortoise, a Military macaw, other birds and puppies.

Allison worked at a variety of jobs around the Southern California area which allowed her to truly enjoy some of her biggest interests. She attended the 1983 “US Festival” in San Bernadino, California where she saw Van Halen, Scorpions, Triumph, Judas Priest: four of her many favourite bands, still to this day she continues to love and listen to.

A collection of wind chimes, hummingbird figurines and hummingbird wind chimes are precious to her. She has a very beautiful collection of both chimes and hummingbirds that she treasures, taking meticulous care of them as they are very special to her.

Allison would eventually get married and become a mother of three amazing children, two girls, Ciara and Taylor, and a son, Erick Jr. The family decided to move to Boise, Idaho, so the kids could be closer to outdoor recreation areas both in summer and for winter skiing which they loved. Shortly after the move, Allison decided to go her separate ways. 

She was a very, very proud, loving and caring mother to her three kids. She “loved them to pieces” as they would say. She tried to keep these relationships going and was successful for a period of time. As time went on, Allison realized she was missing something very important: it was at this time she started to look for a true love and someone to grow old with. 

She wasn't exactly a social butterfly. She had a good job at a local center for disabled clients in Boise which kept her days quite busy. However, in her off-work hours, she became lonely and truly desired to have a loving relationship in her life. Fate would have it that while looking at an internet chat site, she would meet the love of her life - Rich. After about a year and a half of a long distance relationship, Allison decided to move to Calgary, Alberta, Canada to join Rich. They longed to be in each other’s arms as they had many things in common. They shared a love of music, animals, attended many concerts together, watching their favourite bands, going to airshows, and they spent a lot of time in the kitchen as they both loved to cook. Allison is an amazing cook!  Allison has a lot of favorite dishes and desserts. She would lovingly prepare her Sheppard’s Pie, Meatloaf, and Chicken bowls. She also made Pineapple Upside Down Cake (especially for Rich’s birthday) and Fruit Trifle were two of their favourite desserts. 

Together they would enjoy long walks, sometimes up to 5 miles in one afternoon. Both on sidewalks and park trails walking hand in hand with Rich, Allison knew she found the love of her life. Their unconditional love for each other blossomed, even strangers they met on their walks would mention what a beautiful couple they were as they shared laughs and talks along the way.

Allison would often get out her phone and start talking about her awesome kids and sharing photos with people her and Rich met, whether during a walk through a neighborhood, in a shop or store, or on a trail in a park. She was and is a very, very proud mother to three amazing, incredible kids. With much gratitude to her daughters, a few years ago, she was elevated to also being a very proud grandmother, now to three adorable granddaughters, Mia, Zella, and Jaime. 

Allison made a point to text the kids each morning to say good morning and to have a good day and that she loves them. At night she texted goodnight and she loves them. Once every couple weeks she'd ask when is a good time to call as she really valued each conversation and the sound of their voices filled her heart. The granddaughters became a precious addition to her connection with her family. 

For over 20 years, Allison and Rich have been inseparable. Their love grew deeply and her passing is devastating for Rich and her entire family.

Allison will be dearly missed by her loving husband, Rich Waschuk; three children, Ciara Neal (née Cheshire), Taylor Cheshire, and Erick Cheshire Jr.; brother, John Tonkinson; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Elmer Tonkinson Jr. and Eva Tonkinson (née Marshall).

"Miss you lots and lots my precious babygirl 

- Always and forever Yours, your loving husband, Rich 

(Robert Richard Waschuk)"