Alice Mae Brouillard

Alice Brouillard, who turned 106 years old on October 29, passed away peacefully at her home on December 10, 2025. In her lifetime, she was a witness to so much history. Born at the end of the Spanish Flu pandemic, she survived the 2020 Covid pandemic; born at the end of World War I, she witnessed WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War. She saw the construction—and the fall—of the Berlin Wall, the Wall Street crash of 1929, and the Great Depression of 1933. She also witnessed the introduction of life-saving penicillin, the first “talkie” movies, Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon, the introduction of television to cable TV and now streaming, and the incredible transition from party-line telephones to smartphones and the internet. And, not forget the many social improvements—including the Civil Rights Act, the first woman Supreme Court Justice, the first woman nominated to run for President (and she was disappointed that her vote didn’t lead to the first Woman President), and the first woman Vice President. What a life of experiences.

Alice married her husband, Rex Brouillard, on January 11, 1947—right after WWII ended. Together, they embarked on an extraordinary journey, starting with their move to Japan, where Rex was stationed for the postwar reconstruction under General MacArthur. Rex’s 21-year career in the Air Force took them from Japan to the Pentagon and then to Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where their first child, Latisa (Tisa), was born. After three years in Germany, the family returned to the Pentagon, where their son, Rex, was born.

After Rex retired from the Air Force as a Lt. Colonel, a job with General Dynamics brought the family to San Diego, before they returned to McLean when Rex took a position with the Department of the Navy at the Pentagon for another 20 years. In 1997, Rex passed away at age 76, but Alice continued to build a rich life filled with love, family, and adventure.

Alice was always known for her impeccable fashion sense! She absolutely loved shopping, and during her last couple of years, she truly missed being able to visit her local Chico’s—where, no doubt, they missed her, too! But Alice was never one-dimensional; she enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, bridge, staying up on current events, and being social. She never missed bingo, music programs, galas, or any of the activities available at Vinson Hall and Arleigh Burke—unless she truly had to.

Alice leaves behind a legacy of resilience, curiosity, and warmth that touched everyone who knew her. She will be remembered for her sharp wit, her stylish flair, and her unwavering ability to adapt and thrive through the highs and lows of a remarkable century. She leaves behind her son, Rex Lee Brouillard and her daughter-in-law, Michelle, of Lovettsville VA; her daughter, Tisa Head and her son-in-law, John Head, of Southern Shores, NC; her grandson, Austen Head and his wife Kylie and her great-granddaughter, Peyton Lee Head, of Great Falls, VA

A memorial service and reception will be held on January 16 at Vinson Hall Ballroom at 2pm and all who knew and loved Alice are warmly welcome to attend.