Allison Lamonte Bolin

Allison Lamonte Bolin of Santa Cruz while surrounded by loving friends, has passed.

Allison was the daughter of Jack D. Bolin and D. Sue Bolin and was born in Jackson, Mississippi. She spent her early years traveling with her family throughout the United States and Canada until settling in Fort Worth, Texas, where she attended elementary and high school. In school, she enjoyed studying dance and drama. Few will forget her dance routine to the song Button and Bows in the Lilly B. Clayton Elementary talent show. In her senior year, she moved to Akron, Ohio. After graduation, Allison moved to Madisonville, KY, to study nursing and worked as a floor nurse with the local hospital until she found her true calling as an ER nurse.

Her career took her to Vanderbilt University Hospital, where she became a flight nurse in their ER. While in Nashville, she was asked to head the new ER flight department for Tyler, Texas. After setting up the department, Allison decided to experience the country as a traveling nurse, which eventually moved her to Santa Cruz, where she fell in love with California’s coastal life. A longtime ER nurse with Dominion Hospital and later served as a Cardio Rehab specialist. As a recipient of a kidney transplant, Allison was also a fierce advocate for kidney donors and understood the trials and special problems of those who chose to lead a full and fruitful life while dealing with lifelong illnesses.

In addition to nursing, she became a facilitator for the CA BRN intervention program. Allison, who entered recovery 40 years ago, became involved in the recovery community and began assisting nurses whose practice may be impacted by substance use disorder or mental health issues. Her 20-plus years of weekly groups led many to long-term recovery, and the return of their nursing licenses.

For decades, she maintained deep relationships through dinners, vacations, retreats with a varied group of friends and supporters in Santa Cruz. Their loss in these communities will linger as the loss of a sister, and they send all who loved her their blessings.

Allison was a lifelong knitter and never went without a knitting project in hand. Many of her friends and family were blessed recipients of her beautiful scarves and socks. Because of her love of knitting and people, she was involved with multiple knitting groups and developed lifelong friendships. Many were with her in her final days.

Allison is survived by her brothers, Mark Bolin, OH, Todd Bolin, OH, Gary Walker, NY, Greg Walker, OH, and sister Sue Walker, OH. She is also survived by Moon, her rescue cat, and many close friends and associates. Always quick with a smile and a joke, she loved family gatherings with brothers, sisters, and her many nieces and nephews throughout the country, who will miss her love and warmth.

A celebration of life will be announced, as many will gather from around the country to remember her special place in all their hearts. Her family also wishes to extend their special thanks to her many friends in California who loved her like a sister and were with her during her passing.