Alice O. Hoekstra

Alice O. Hoekstra of Chandler, AZ, died at home on Friday, May 22, 2026, at the age of 73. Alice was born on April 24, 1953, in Ottawa, IL, to the late Thomas J. and Alice (nee Canty) O’Shaughnessy. She graduated from Rich Central High School, Olympia Fields, IL, in 1972 and began her career with the Illinois Department of Human Services as a long-time mental health technician at the Elisabeth Ludemann Center in Park Forest, IL, serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities residing in home-like settings. How she loved and cared for her clients! After moving to AZ in 2014, Alice worked at Alexander’s Abilities in the East Valley, a day-care agency for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She was an absolute sports fanatic, and whenever schedules allowed, she rallied her clients to cheer and celebrate her favorite teams while watching them on TV.

Alice had a very tender heart and demonstrated her loving, caring nature to family, friends, and neighbors alike, reserving her biggest enthusiasm for her 2 granddaughters, Maya and Marley.

Alice is predeceased by her beloved husband of 38 years, Wesley K. Hoekstra, and her brother James. She is survived by her children, Kristopher and Kaite, and granddaughters Maya and Marley, all of Chandler, AZ. Alice is also survived by her sister Ann (Mike) O’Connor of Mesa, AZ, sister-in-law Christine O’Shaughnessy of Stafford, VA, brother Tom (Nina) O’Shaughnessy of Arlington, VA, and sister Jean (Andy) White of Fairlawn, OH, and many nieces and nephews. Alice was close with and survived by many cousins, including Dinah, John, Bill, Celene, Mark, Mary, Hugh, and Sue, to name a few. Lakeshore Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.