Alice Milke

If her children stumbled onto a time machine, they’d dial in the Christmastimes of their youth; Alice’s home full of the sights, sounds, smells, joys and laughter of the holidays. In fact, every holiday was memorialized with Alice’s flair for decorating & displaying her creativity. She was a mom for the ages: her kids impeccably dressed, lunches lined up on the counter. Dinner time found all 11 sitting around the table; the phone disconnected, a prayer before dining. Alice’s strength was forged in tough times; she was a child of the depression. Of course, she did have a stubborn side; a bent gear-shifter while learning to drive made her vow she’d never have a license. She loved old movies especially those featuring Shirley Temple; Alice even had a room decorated with Shirley Temple memorabilia! And she was sentimental about the little things in life, keeping letters and mementos of friendships long ago. Her later years found her doing a little travelling with her husband; reluctant to fly, she and her husband drove the country: Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Missouri. But she really found her calling with her grandchildren: her final weeks found Grammy gathering them all back to her one last time. Among Alice’s interests were being involved with the United Presbyterian Women, ceramics, bunco, and sewing.

The young Alice Walz was working behind the counter of a Philadelphia soda shop when a dashing guy walked in and won her heart. A year later she and the late Douglas would elope. A devoted wife and a fulfilling marriage of 69 years was blessed with 9 children: Christine (Steve) Amoroso, Douglas, Bernadette (John Fratantaro), Darlene (Joe) SantaCroce, Cheryl, the late Robin Rago, the late Dan (Linda), Jeanette (Rick) Francesco and Ronald (Christine); 21 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She was the sister of the late Larry Walz, the late Mildred Havel, the late Joan Horne, and survived by her sister Betty Horner. Most family members knew her by her nickname: “Bubbles”!

Alice passed away very peacefully on the morning of November, 21st. Come celebrate 86 great years: Saturday, December 8th, 2-4 p.m. at the Beverly Methodist Church. A service will be held immediately following.