Memorial for Alice

Alice in 1947

On Saturday, October 4th, a memorial was held for Alice, my mother-in-law. It was a lovely service, held in the chapel of the church where she had been a member for over 50 years.  There were about 100 people there to honor her life, an unusually large number for someone of 98 years.  Many people of that age have outlived most of their family and friends.

While she was the last sibling of her immediate family, in the crowd were her children, in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, students, and friends, many belonging to more than one of those categories.  Stories were told, a hymn composed by her grandfather was sung, and we all remembered what we loved about Alice.

Several themes about Alice's life emerged.  How accepting and generous she was, with her attitude and her time.  How much she loved children.  How she didn't like to think negative thoughts and never invited gossip of any kind.  Her fondness for peanut butter and for sweets, especially ice cream.

Many of her neighbors remembered Alice's frequent walks, her eyes and attention on the plants in bloom.  More than one of her nieces told me the story of discovering that the hair Alice always kept braided and  in a circle bun around her head, when unwound, reached her calves!  Several people spoke about her modesty and humility.

The photo above is from 1947, about the time she was meeting and falling in love with her husband, Robert.  I like to think about her at that time, young and happy, with a full life with her husband and four children still ahead of her.

Alice will be missed by all who knew her.