Alison N. Mcguigan

Alison N. (Ali) McGuigan, 48, of Washington, D.C. passed away on Sunday March 29, 2015 of complications with Interstitial Lung Disease. She was born November 27, 1966 in El Paso, Tx, daughter of Gilbert L. and Joyce Neal.

Alison was pursuing her Ph.D in Clinical Psychology at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. Through psychology she wanted to be able to help young deaf children who were having a hard time fitting in or adjusting outside of the deaf community. She spent a lot of time either going to school to further her education in psychology or working at various schools for the deaf and blind. She taught Psychology 101 and Abnormal Psychology at Gallaudet University during her study in the PhD program. She was an advocate for teaching all children sign language because of the benefits of early communication.  Some of her hobbies included belly dancing, quilting, sewing, and reading. She was very passionate about her belly dancing and had been a part of various dance companies. She was also a part of the Gallaudet Dance Company during her first years at Gallaudet University. She had hoped to continue pursuing her passion of belly dancing when she had fully recovered. She enjoyed going to the Outer Banks, NC. There she would spend her time visiting with family and sightseeing, especially with the history and designs of the various lighthouses.

She is survived by her husband of 8 years, James McGuigan. Her four children SSG Scott Key, and wife Lindsey of Marshall, MN; Travis Cordova and Anna Dillard of Staunton, VA; Haley Cordova of Richmond, VA; and Wyatt Cordova of Richmond, VA. Four grandchildren Kaleb (9), Madalynn (5) and Abigail (1) Key; and Paige Dillard (6). Also her parents Gilbert L. and Joyce Neal of Virginia Beach, VA; her sister Jennifer McArdle of Virginia Beach, VA; brother Andrew and wife Kathleen Neal of Dallas, TX; and nieces and nephews.