Remembering Allie

Alexandra Wylie was born in London on the 2nd of January, 1993.

Known for her dazzling smile, charming wit and exceptional talent, Allie was a bright star who brought so much energy, warmth and humour to those she touched.

Throughout her life, Allie shone with so much passion, strength and vibrancy, until she passed away from a rare form of cancer at the age of 17.

Allie's short yet brilliant life has inspired so many people - many who knew her while she lived and many who have heard of her legacy since. This article is a gathering of memories of a few people who knew Allie well and wanted to share a glimpse into her joy, her beauty and her humanity.

Elin, Allie's singing teacher & neighbour

Alexandra

The girl next door.

Kind and modest.

Fun and generous spirit.

A daughter worthy of her wonderful Mother.

We sang together.

I sang at her funeral

Because I would never sing at her wedding.

Courtney, Allie's school friend

Allie was one of my best friends and having been lucky enough to spend all my years at Channing with her, I have so many happy memories that I will always cherish. Out of our close group of friends Allie was the one who always seemed so much cooler and more grown up, and would often come into school itching to tell us new gossip and we would sit for hours in random nooks and crannies of the school corridors and giggle as she updated us about her evolving love life. Allie brought fun and laughter to even the most boring times at school. We sat next to each other in Physics over our GCSE years, and the only thing I remember about GCSE Physics is that we spent most of the lessons making towers out of the 30 different lipbalms Allie kept in her pencil case. Some of my favourite memories also involve Allie’s birthday’s, where we would be whisked off for weekends camping in yurts, treasure hunting around Dublin or being pampered on a spa day. The overarching theme of all my memories with Allie is happiness and an awful lot of laugher, and I miss her every day.

Kitty, Allie's school friend

As Allie was a ‘W’ and I am a ‘U’, Allie and I spent almost our whole secondary school life in classes together. You could always hear her giggle before she entered a room. Both of us also had a passion for acting, so we often found ourselves backstage chatting away, laughing, learning lines and talking about life - everything from school to boys to the dreams we had of our creative futures. One year, we were in Timberlake Wertenbaker’s adaptation of Cinderella, The Ash Girl, where she played the titular part and I was her Prince Charming. Yes, we would be silly and have our laughs, but when it came to the performance she held herself with the kind of confidence and poise that says ‘I got this.’ She always did. I loved performing with her; she was so commanding on stage, no matter the part she played. I’ll never forget her laugh, her beaming smile, her infectious energy and her passion for life. She’ll always be my backstage pal.

Bonnie, Allie's school friend

Allie was, and is, one of my best friends. We met in Year 7 and I was struck by how outgoing and smiley and friendly she was. Allie was neverfar from a laugh and she was my adventure partner. No ride in Thorpe Park was too big for her. She was also an incredibly intelligent person and oh boy did we have some big debates. While we can’t do these things in person these memories are ever lasting and she is still with me in these moments — when I want someone to appreciate a super scary ride or film, an interesting article or just a good laugh. Love you and miss you Allie.

Emma, Allie's school friend

We did a Channing choir tour to Venice in 2009, I have so many fond memories of us breaking into song on the public transport boats and at the top of the bell tower in St Marks Square, doing full on renditions of our latin choral pieces for everyone. I feel like there is a certain level of confidence that being 16 and in a massive girl gang with all your pals gives you, I would definitely not do that now! Allie had a beautiful voice, there was a really special quality to it that meant you could always hear her over everyone else in the choir, I have no idea what the technical term is for that but you could always hear her. That trip was hilarious all round, to touch on Allie`'s artistic prowess even more,was hilarious all round, to touch on Allie's artistic prowess even more, one night us year 12 girls stayed in the hotel and Allie decided she was going to do some makeovers. She got out this very bright eyeshadow palette she had and gave me a very snazzy orange and green smokey eye, it was very well executed and blended but I did look a bit mad, we spent the rest of the evening chatting about rubbish and laughing A LOT. The photos, videos and memories from that trip I will cherish forever.

Lydia, Allie's next-door neighbour

Growing up next door to Allie with a close family bond, I spent much of my childhood learning, playing and creating beside her. Though we often fought like sisters - particularly over who got to hold her Mum's left hand on the walk to school - we also had a wealth of joyful moments together. There was no better pastime in my younger years than to climb over our garden fence and jump for hours with Allie on her treasured trampoline, chattering away as we bounced beside a honeysuckle bush and two loyal dogs on her lawn.

Every week, Allie would come over for singing lessons with my Mum. We bickered over who got to stand on the left side of the piano, of course, but our voices always harmonised in song. One Sunday at church, dressed in white frocks and feathery angel wings, we sang Panis Angelicus in a perfect duet before an adoring congregation. Allie was a truly angelic neighbour and her wisdom and kindness will always be left with me.