Alice May Anderson
April 26, 1929 - April 16, 2022
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Obituary For Alice May Anderson
Alice was born in Toronto, the third child of Thomas and May Anderson and was a much-loved daughter, sister, aunt, great-aunt, friend, and teacher. She entered the Congregation of St. Joseph in 1948 (Sister Josepha) and began her teaching career in the early 1950s in elementary schools in Toronto, Orillia, and Thorold, as well as Comox, Terrace, and Vancouver, British Columbia. After leaving the sisterhood in 1970, she continued to teach in Surrey BC until her retirement in 1994. She earned a BA from the University of British Columbia by studying part-time for many years while teaching full-time. After retirement she continued her contribution to elementary education by writing supplementary materials on local history and social studies. Alice kept in touch with distant friends and family via letters, birthday and Christmas cards, phone calls, and latterly by email and Skype — she was unusually computer-literate for her generation. She also spent many summers at the family cottage in Muskoka, Ontario, where the younger members of the family had a chance to get to know and love her. She was as an active and involved member of any school, parish, or social group that she belonged to and was a longstanding member of the Catholic Women’s League. Alice was generous with her time and resources and always willing to lend a helping hand. She enjoyed going to plays, eating out, and playing card and board games with her circle of friends. In her last few years in supported living, then in long-term care, she could be counted on to take part in activities and outings whenever she could. Although she had many health challenges in her later years, she remained positive and cheerful, right up to her final few days. She was pre-deceased by her parents, sister Muriel Guerin (Neil) and brothers Bert (Rose) and Tom (Ethna), and is survived by sisters Cathy Conderan (Ed), Ruth Dunant Mason (Michael), and Susan, brother Bob (Lynne), and 17 nieces and nephews.Burial is at the Gardens of Gethsemani at a later time. Donations to The Canadian Red Cross Society, BC/Yukon Region, or The Arthritis Society, British Columbia & Yukon Division, would be appreciated.
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05/11/2022
Carol Hryhorsky
I credit Aunt Alice for introducing me to sacred music and the guitar. On a beautiful Sunday afternoon we visited her in rhe convent and she showed me a guitar leaning up against the wall. She said, "Give it a try...I think you'll like it.' This moment sparked a great love for playing and singing that has lasted a lifetime...what a gift! Because of your joy and kindness and your interest in the lives of your nieces and nephews, I have been greatly blessed.
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05/06/2022
Paul Anderson
Aunt Alice was a constantly loving, faith filled presence in our lives. Even when she suffered serious setbacks in her health, she seemed to always remain positive. I don't recall ever hearing Aunt Alice say anything unkind about anyone. She was also apparently able to remember absolutely everyone's birthday without fail, much like her mother. She certainly loved living on the west coast, too. I remember being very impressed at Aunt Alice's decision to take up writing when she retired from teaching - not memoirs but historical dramas, if I recall correctly. She seemed always forward looking and young at heart. A wonderful example to follow. We are all greatly blessed to have known her.
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05/05/2022
Karen Conderan
Rest In Peace, dear Aunt Alice. You are a treasured member of our family and although your loss is deeply felt, you have left us a legacy of love, kindness, support, and perseverance as well as laughter, positivity and faith. I have so many wonderful memories of times spent with you. With much love and gratitude, Karen .
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05/04/2022
Aunt Alice never forgot to send a Birthday Card to any of us. We would write back to her to complete the circle of Love we had for her. I remember sharing a Christmas morning with her in Coquitlam when I was very young. Her presence at Sherwood in Bala Park Island was always a fun experience. We will miss her quick whit and smile. Rest In Peace Dear Alice. Love and Prayers from Janet, John, Adam and Samantha Anderson (Goderich, Ontario).
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05/04/2022
Colleen and Ray
The first time that Ray and I met Alice was about nine years ago, when we picked up items from her home, which Alice donated to the flea market for the Knights of Columbus charity stall that we ran. Our friendship developed over the years into more of a family relationship, where we knew that we could just be ourselves with each other. She was blessed with many gifts and skills that she loved to share, like; listening, good sense of humour, generosity, storytelling, patience, determination, and most of all the love of her faith and family. We have lots of good memories of Alice to cherish! Rest in Peace Alice with the Lord! Colleen and Ray
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05/01/2022
Bob Anderson
Alice will be greatly missed by all the family. We enjoyed our phone conversations with her over the years. She was always a good listener and also had some great stories to tell. We will miss those calls, even the ones where she forgot about the time difference!!! Alice always remembered events in the family and recognized them with cards or phone calls. She was a little bit of glue that kept us all connected. We were happy to have had a visit with her a few years ago and will cherish the memories of that visit. God bless Alice Bob and Lynne Anderson
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04/30/2022
Surrey Retired Teachers' Association
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Our thoughts are with your family during this difficult time. The Surrey Branch of the British Columbia Retired Teachers' Association
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04/29/2022
Ethna Anderson
I think Alice left a deep and lasting impression on everyone who knew and loved her. She was a remarkable lady in very many ways. I remember the first time I saw Alice. She was a young novice, praying with other nuns, as they walked in a private garden next to the school I had just started to attend. Peeking through the trees that separated us, I thought she was absolutely beautiful!!( she truly was- and as I was to learn in years to come, even more beautiful on the inside.) I never imagined then, that in time, I would be blessed to call Alice my sister-in law. Alice was always loving, kind, and affirming. So caring about her brother Tom and I, and our children, just as she was with all the families of her siblings. Her ability to remember every niece and nephew's 'special day' was remarkable!...but then Alice was a remarkable woman. Forever interested in others, she had many friends, and was always a truly good friend herself. Able to rise above her own difficulties to reach out to others, she was unfailingly encouraging, kind, supportive, talented, social, prayerful, and most of all loving. Alice had a quiet courage and grace, in all the circumstances of her life. She was pure Gift to all of us who were blessed to be part of her family. Who could ever forget Alice? She left an indelible stamp on our hearts and our lives. Yet the memory I will treasure forever is her laughter.- May Heaven resound with it, as she delights in the Lord she served with such grace all the days of her life. Rest In Peace Dear Sister. With Love and Gratitude - Ethna Anderson.
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04/28/2022
Patti Conderan Easson
Aunt Alice will always be remembered for her kindness, her laughter, her genuine love and concern for others and special moments spent together over the years in Muskoka, Toronto and White Rock. She enjoyed many a game with us, read books with great-nieces and great-nephews, shared funny stories and always made us smile. You will be missed Aunt Alice. Thank you for all the love that you gave so generously to me and my family. Give my love to GG when you see her. Patti ( Ron and family )Xoxo
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04/28/2022
Peggy Conderan
Aunt Alice was a huge part of my life - so many great memories up at the family cottage over the years, always remembering to send birthday cards and one of the best at playing Silly B or Scrabble! I will miss you - but so grateful for your love and laughter and kindness. You will always have a special place in my heart. Peggy Conderan (Niece) Burlington, ON
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04/28/2022
Cathy Conderan
I will deeply miss my older sister Alice who was very close to me even though miles separated us for many years. Her regular visits home to Muskoka in the summer or other spots in Ontario were enjoyed by extended family. She was wonderful in her memory of family birthdays and other occasions. A special memory of mine is when Alice took me for my first "grown-up" girl's haircut. We had many fun times as Brownie and Girl Guide leaders and at summer camps. I treasure a few hand-crafted special mementos that she made for me over the years. She was always ready with a warm word or hearty chuckle which would light up the room. We were blessed to have had a visit with her in White Rock several years ago and will keep those memories close to my heart. I know that there would've been a warm welcome of family and friends to greet her. Rest in peace my big sister. Love you always. Cathy (and Ed) xoxo
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04/28/2022
Mai Clark
Alice was a friend of mine for some forty years. We met as teachers and through the ensuing years did many activities together, at one point, playing "competitive" Scrabble (we had a winner's trophy), and going to plays (Alice organized the dates and the pre-play dinner locations). I think that anyone who knew Alice found it remarkable how, throughout the last difficult years, Alice retained a constantly cheerful and positive outlook, even when her health issues were very challenging. She was a model for how to accept problems and face the world with a cheerful face. Keeping in touch with family and friends remained a priority for her and even during the lockdowns, she phoned regularly. Her last big outing with her friends was a luncheon for about a dozen friends on her ninetieth birthday, and sadly, she just missed celebrating her 93rd by just over a week. She will be missed by many people as she was a thoughtful and considerate friend, caring of her friends and family to the end. My very sincere condolences go to her family, a family that was very important to her and of whom she talked often. Mai
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