Alison Kimball Bradford

Alison Kimball Bradford died July 11 after a fall and short illness. With her children Gigi and Phil by her side, she spent her final days watching Wimbledon tennis and rooting for her favorite players.

Born in Wilmington in 1927, she attended Tower Hill School and graduated from Westover School and Sarah Lawrence College. In 1961, she served as Poet Laureate of the State of Delaware and published a poetry chapbook with ink drawings by Andrew Wyeth.

Alison (Boofer) traveled widely as a highly knowledgeable shell collector, and her scientific curiosity led her to become deeply involved with the Delaware Museum of Natural History. She volunteered in the shell department at the Museum for 32 years, and in 1991 coauthored a scientific paper about the Museum’s mollusk collection. In addition, she served on the Museum’s Board of Trustees for 30 years, culminating with the title of Honorary Trustee.

Alison was past president of the Kennett Pike Association and a member of the Colonial Dames of America and the Vicmead Hunt Club. She served on the Boards of the Children’s Home and of Family Service of Northern Delaware. Alison was an active member of the Stonegates community and enjoyed spending winters in Boca Grande, FL.

Alison was predeceased in 1999 by her husband Joseph Odell Bradford. In addition to her children Gigi Stanford and Phil Bradford and their spouses, she is survived by five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A memorial service will be planned for the fall.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the Delaware Museum of Natural History, 4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807.