A short time before Alva suffered this stroke, she was still engaged in animated conversation with 5 of her judges' colleagues at the dinner table, planning to judge at the show in Helsinki last Saturday and Sunday, and all of a sudden the bright shining candle that was Alva, was cruelly blown out.
Today is indeed a black day for FIFe, because not only have we lost a world famous and highly respected All Breed judge, who strongly promoted open judging and discussions with exhibitors, but who also, was an example to many of us, breeders, exhibitors, judges and student judges alike: Alva was a part of our heart and our soul: Alva WAS FIFe.
Alva was active in so many fields, areas and functions, and not only in the cat world, that it is almost impossible to provide a complete and accurate list, but we will try:
Alva passed her exam as a longhair judge (categories I& II) in 1973, her exam as a category III judge in 1983 and became All Breed in 1984 when she passed her category IV exam.
She bred Persians, Sacred Birmans, Abyssinians and British, under her cattery-name "Rabacken".
Besides that she also bred fish and birds and two dog breeds, Labradors and Papillons.
Within SVERAK, Alva was Board member, General-Secretary and President for almost 10 years, Honorary President since she resigned. In the past years she was still active in SVERAK as a member of the Breed and Judges Commissions.
Within FIFe, Alva was a member of the Committee Council, the Show, Disciplinary and Judges & LO Commissions and various workgroups. She became the FIFe President in 1991 and stayed this until 2001, and in this period under her inspiring leadership, she managed to establish stability and reinstate FIFe as the leading World Cat Fancy.
Her efforts resulted in the establishment of what became to be known as the World Cat Congress, and she was co-author of various FIFe publications and books.
Finally, Alva held honorary memberships and was honorary president in many clubs all over the world.
Alva was beloved and respected by all, could never be ignored and had a strong personality, always being clearly present: this Grand Lady of FIFe practically died in "the harness" as she had always wished and she left this earthly life with the same speed and energy as she had always lived it.
Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to your husband Janne, your children, grand- and great-grand children, the rest of your family and your countless friends.
FIFe will not be the same without you, Alva, and we remember you with a big smile and many happy memories, love and respect and thank you for what you did for FIFe from the bottom of our hearts.
Annette, Eric, Leo, Christel, Dorte and Dietmar
(From FIFes pages) http://www.fifeweb.org/wp/news/nws_intro.html
Alva on one of her most favourite photographs
Alva and Janne Uddin: Galadinner GA 2005 Malmö
