Born in 1929 in Vianna, Austria, and raised by a single mother who had been a circus performer and tightrope walker, Alice learned English, and spent some time as a nanny in England in the late 1940's before returning home to Vienna. In 1953 she attended the coronation of Elizabeth ll, and on a train returning home met an American GI named Roy McBee, who was stationed in Germany. They exchanged addresses and corresponded by mail, and he wrote to her mother, asking for her permission to marry Alice.
She was an Army wife for two decades, living in six states and three countries, raising a son and a daughter. Roy was assigned to Fort Bliss four times, and retired after the last post in 1974. They bought a modest dream home on El Paso's east side, and Alice enjoyed being able to finally stay put for the next 45 years, blissfully indulging her favorite pastimes: tending gardens, enjoying the company of dogs, feeding wild birds, baking, spending time with her husband, and later, enjoying visits from grandchildren.
Roy died in 2000, and Alice managed to stay on in the house, with help form wonderful neighbors and friends form nearby Bethany Christian Church, for another 18 years. In 2018 she moved to an assisted living facility, where she remained positive, thankful and happy.
Alice is survived by a son, Douglas McBee of Sonoma, CA, daughter Laura Miller of Hattiesburg, MS, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A small service is planned at 11:00 Friday, April 2 at Martin Funeral Home East, 1460 George Dieter Dr. in El Paso.
