Ricki Allison Obituary: Ricki Sweet Allison, a woman of remarkable intellect, resilience, and compassion, gracefully concluded her earthly journey on February 24, 2024, at the age of 88, in Alexandria, VA. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert “Bud” Allison and the cherished daughter of Jacob and Mollie Freedman, as well as the devoted sister of the late Arthur Freedman. Ricki’s legacy of love and achievement extends to her three children, Lois Mandell and her husband David of Alexandria, Pauline Kleinburd and her husband Jim of Israel, and Charles Sweet and his wife Julie of Newton. She was the cherished grandmother of Kevin, Sarah & CJ Mandell; Jason Berke; Nathaniel & Amalia Sweet, and will be dearly missed by many other relatives and friends.
Born and raised on Blue Hill Avenue in Mattapan, MA, Ricki embarked on a journey marked by academic excellence and professional distinction in a time when opportunities for women were often limited. Despite the challenges, she pursued her passion for education, earning a PhD in Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistical Analysis from Boston College while raising her children. As a professor, Ricki’s influence was profound, spending 15 years at the University of Lowell, MA, where she ascended to the position of Principal Researcher and tenured Associate Professor. Her scholarly contributions were vast, with numerous academic papers to her name.
Ricki’s career path led her to diverse roles, including Operations and Systems Planner at the MITRE Corporation and the inaugural holder of the Command and Control Chair at the Naval Postgraduate School. In 1986, she founded Sweet Associates, Ltd., serving as President and Chief Scientist until 1993. Later, she became the Principal Associate for Metrics at CACI Int’l before retiring, leaving an indelible mark on the fields of academia and analysis.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Ricki cultivated a deep appreciation for opera and art, becoming a trained docent after retirement. Despite facing health challenges in her final years, she maintained an active lifestyle and found joy in life’s simple pleasures.
In a private ceremony, Dr. Allison will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband at Arlington National Cemetery. As we bid farewell to a woman of extraordinary talent and grace, let us carry forward her legacy of perseverance, intellect, and love, cherishing the memories she bestowed upon us.