Alice’s Parents
Alice was the primary caregiver for her parents for more than 30 years, visiting them every week to take care of their every need. In 1973 her mother suffered a permanently disabling stroke, and in 1985 had open heart surgery to replace the mitral valve. Alice was there by her bedside every day providing love and support and making sure her mother got the best possible care until she died in 1992. After her mother’s death, her father began to fade away and developed dementia. Alice remodeled her house to accommodate him and he lived with her for several years before his condition deteriorated to the point that he required the level of care that she could not provide. He died in 2008, surrounded by loving faces.
Aunt Irene
Alice was extremely close to her father’s sister, Aunt Irene (back row, center). She visited her often in her home and loved to spend time with her. She fought in court to help Aunt Irene keep her mentally ill son Eric from taking her house. She also stood by Aunt Irene when the same son allegedly abused his mother verbally and physically. There are many witnesses of this abuse who have written letters on Alice’s behalf. Alice is a champion of justice and cannot tolerate seeing anyone suffer abuse or injustice. Aunt Irene passed away in 2014 and Alice was devastated.
Alice and Irene together planned a memorial video tribute for Irene’s funeral. Irene picked the verses, the music and the images, because they were her favorite things, but Alice created it.
