CliqueClackRest easy, Allison Waldman: the original Barbfile
A fellow ex-TV Squad writer, Allison Waldman, ended her long battle with cancer yesterday.
I got the news this morning from fellow ex-TV Squadder Joel Keller that an also former writer for TVS, Allison Waldman, had passed away yesterday after a long battle with cancer. This was truly sad and surprising news to me, as not only was Allison one of the sweetest people I’ve had the pleasure of working with, but — at least to me — she kept to herself about her health issues. We were still in contact with one another, especially during the time we discussed her successfully-funded Kickstarter project, Barbara Memories, and still she gave no indication she wasn’t well.
Allison’s contributions on TV Squad were a bit outside of what long-time readers of the site were used to, but there was surely value in what she wrote. At one time Allison was contributing regularly to a new column about soaps, and there were plans to expand that into a TV Squad offshoot, perhaps called “TV Squad Daytime,” where she’d pretty much rule the roost. It’s a shame we never got to see that happen. Thankfully, though, you can still catch an archive of Allison’s TV Squad posts, as well as those she wrote for other outlets like SoapCentral.com. She also has some journal-like entries on YouTube — probably where you can see some her most recent work.
Besides Barbara Memories, Allison also wrote The Barbra Streisand Scrapbook. So, as you might have guessed, saying Allison was a huge Barbara Streisand fan is an understatement. Her nickname and Twitter handle, “Barbfile,” was a fitting one. I’m glad she got to see Barbara Memories completed and shared with other like-minded fans before she passed away.
6 Comments on “Rest easy, Allison Waldman: the original Barbfile”
Thanks for putting this up Keith. Allison was a really nice person. I didn’t even realize she was going through that. She left a comment at my site last year. That was actually the last time I heard from her.
Thanks for doing this, Keith. I wish we still had TV Squad so we could pay tribute to here there. She was really a fine writer and a great colleague and friend. Jason and I will probably talk about her at the top of our podcast this week, so listen for that…
Thank you so much Keith. I wanted to add a couple of things. Allison was actually able to hand a copy of “Barbra Memories” to Barbra in person, where she met her backstage at her concert in Brooklyn, NY (October 2012). I for one am so grateful that Allison finally met Barbra in person and she was beyond thrilled when Barbra told her what a wonderful writer she was. As one of many in this wonderful community of Barbra fans, Allison was a leader and an inspiration. She was like a mother to many and as one person so fittingly stated yesterday: Allison was an icon herself. Barbra Streisand released an official statement today in honor of Allison and it touched so many of us deeply. Thank you again for such a beautiful post Keith! Ally was truly one-of-a-kind…
Statement by Barbra Streisand (April 16, 2013):
“I was very saddened to hear of Allison Waldman’s passing Monday. She had been struggling bravely for many years to beat cancer. I knew Allison over the years as a very good writer and a kind and loyal fan of mine who created and wrote “The Barbra Files” magazine and “The Barbra Streisand scrapbook”…she was always wonderful to me. She was dedicated to the accuracy of the news she conveyed, and she shaped her stories with great style. I was so happy to finally get to meet Allison at my Brooklyn concert this past Fall and to be able to thank her personally for her encouragement and dedication. I extend to her family and friends my heartfelt sympathies. She will be certainly missed by all of us.” — Barbra Streisand
A beautiful tribute. Thanks for writing it, Keith. Allison was such a sweetie, and so great to work with.
Lily – So neat about Barbra’s tribute, and that Allison was able to meet her. Such a great group of dedicated fans, with Allison leading the way. She will be missed.
So sad to hear. I guess we lost touch after working together — I had no idea she was ill. I knew she was a huge Barbra fan, though… Of course! Allison’s enthusiasm was incredible. I’m so pleased she got to meet Barbra and share her work.
Here is the video tribute I created for Allison – shown at her memorial gathering on Sunday… https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xR6ZRBdj0Eg&feature=g-high-u