To know Alison was to know joy. Whether it was creating magic in a classroom as a French teacher for 19 years, hosting lively dinner parties and conversations with friends and loved ones, playing music, or serving the vulnerable, Alison lit up the room with wide-eyed wonder wherever she went. Her joy was contagious. She carried this joy with her to the very end, buoyed by her hope in Christ and a future reality where death does not have the final word.
Obituary
Alison Heck Dupee went home to her Lord on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Born in Dayton, OH on February 10, 1982, Alison’s family moved to Cincinnati when she was 5, and it was then when she first met her soul mate, David, at Hilltop Elementary School. For the next 38 years (20 of those married) the two journeyed side by side: from Wyoming Schools to Davidson College to Joplin, MO, to Milwaukee, WI. In 2023 the journey came full circle as the Dupees moved back to Cincinnati to live directly across the street from Hilltop Elementary where their beautiful love story first began.
To know Alison was to know joy. Whether it was creating magic in a classroom as a French teacher for 19 years, hosting lively dinner parties and conversations with friends and loved ones, playing music, or serving the vulnerable, Alison lit up the room with wide-eyed wonder wherever she went. Her joy was contagious. She carried this joy with her to the very end, buoyed by her hope in Christ and a future reality where death does not have the final word.
Alison’s love of language, travel, and culture intersected with her heart for refugees and international justice. She spent several summers serving in rural Honduran villages and a Ghanaian refugee camp. Most recently she taught ESL to Mauritanian refugees in the Lockland community. Alison’s heart for the vulnerable was as big as her smile.
Alison was loved deeply by her husband, David Dupee; her children David, Owen, and Carder Dupee; her parents, Jeff and Cathy Heck; her siblings, Jeffery Heck (Hannah), Stephen Heck (Carolyn), Parker Heck (Kendal), and Jody Heck Wortman (Zack); her nieces and nephews, Teddy, Kenser, Liza, Aully, Leo, Summer, Gideon, Abby, Tilly, Sally, Lulu, Theo, and James; her in laws and lifelong friends, Dave, Meg, and Sarah Dupee; many adoring aunts, uncles and cousins; and countless others she befriended and came into contact with during her earthly pilgrimage.
Gallery
Memory wall
In the brief year that knew Alison, I was warmed by the welcome that she so immediately embodied, as if she already knew and loved the people she was first meeting. The word that comes to mind, as I reflect on the large impact that she had on me in the few months I knew her, is “inspiring.” Her enthusiasm for pouring into opportunities to serve, her bubbling-over delight when she talked about her love for each family member, her desire for more of God, her creativity in how to impact others, her eagerness to laugh and enjoy moments of fellowship - all so inspiring. I’m thankful to have known her.
Thank you for sharing the gift of Alison, Samm
Maesta Bajeca
One memory stands out in particular: your endless energy in leading the over night camp with College Hill Presbyterian Church. I remember being so impressed by your joyful leadership. As a councilor I had Jody and so many other precious girls in my cabin: it was your fun - filled energy that enlivened the camp. How incredible! ! I treasure that memory of your light and joy.
~The Fent Family
