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Alison Van Zant, beloved sister, aunt, great-aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2026, in the loving embrace of her family at the age of 73. Born on February 16, 1953, in Los Angeles, California to Robert Ewing Van Zant Jr. and Betty Jean (Davidson) Van Zant, Alison lived a life filled with love, adventure, and compassion. Her lively, energetic, and infective spirit touched so many, and her legacy will be cherished by all who knew her.
On July 3, 1993, Alison was united in marriage to Rian Frederick Aldrich in Porterville, California. They shared a deep love for horseback pack trips in the mountains—a testament to their adventurous spirits and shared connection to the outdoors. Alison was an alumna of Glendale College, and enjoyed a career as a professional legal transcriber and scopist for the judicial system. Her attention to detail and unwavering work ethic earned her the respect and admiration of her colleagues.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Alison was a woman of diverse interests and talents. She was at home in the great outdoors, enjoying gardening, and often retreating to the mountains for camping trips that rejuvenated her soul. Her love for nature included a passion for animal rescues and rehabilitations, where her nurturing heart found a purpose in providing care and comfort to all sorts of creatures in need. Alison also had a flair for creativity, particularly in her skillful crafting of authentic Indian jewelry. She and Rian lived alongside the Tule River Indian Tribe of California where she mastered the art of Tule jewelry-making, earning the gratitude of the Tule Tribe in helping preserve their culture for future generations. Moving from California to Hugo, Oklahoma in 2018, Rian and Alison embraced the small-town pace of rural Choctaw County, making it their home.
Alison will be well remembered and deeply missed by her devoted sisters, Debra Vanatta of Hugo, and Valerie Van De Yacht and her husband, Bernie. Devoted nieces and nephews whom she loved like her own children including Brett Aldrich and Grant Aldrich, and grandchildren include Nick Vanatta, Terry Vanatta and wife Jessica, Noelle Krawiec and husband Andy, Janssen Van De Yacht, and Joseph Van De Yacht. She was especially fond of her two great-nephews Dean Vanatta and Ryan Vanatta, who loved to come to Hugo to visit.
Alison was preceded in death by her husband and kindred spirit Rian; her parents Robert and Betty Jean; her brother Robert Ewing Van Zant III; and her brother-in-law, Tom Vanatta, whose memories she held close to her heart.
In celebrating Alison's life, we remember a woman of adventure, resilience, and unwavering devotion—a woman who left an indelible mark on the hearts of her family and friends. Her legacy of enthusiastic compassion will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to know her.
Memorial arrangements for Alison have been entrusted to the care of Prater-Lampton-Mills & Coffey Funeral Home, Hugo, Oklahoma.
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