Alice Mary Dishman

Our dearest Aunt Alice Mary Dishman left this world to be with Jesus May 28,th 2025 with her niece Jennifer and nephew Bryan by her side. Alice was born June 24th, 1941 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Jean and Mary Blouin, whom preceded her in death along with an older brother, David.

At 4 years old her Mother allowed her to visit many different churches with neighbors until she found the church where she said she finally found Jesus. Each time she returned home her Mother asked her. “Did you find Jesus?”

Alice and her parents moved often as her Dad was in the United States Military. She recently told that as a child she had to get use to saying goodbye to special friends she had made and never to see them again. She said then she would make new friends wherever she went.

Her parents settled in the southern California area when she was about 8 years old. She attended Saint Anthony’s Catholic High School where she made lifetime friends and enjoyed staying in touch with many of them throughout the years.

She was 16 years old when a few friends knocked on her door with a boy she had never met before. “Where have you been all my life” were her thoughts when she first saw Richard Garrett Dishman! They were married 5 years later and enjoyed 48 wonderful years enjoying life and working together in the numerous businesses they owned. Throughout the years special pets were always a huge part of their lives. There were dogs, cats, birds, fish, mice, hamsters and bunnies. After selling their business in Apple Valley, Alice and Richard retired in the beautiful community of Eastlake Estates where they both enjoyed daily walks with their dogs, swimming and traveling. Richard preceded Alice in death on her birthday June 24th, 2010.

A few years later at a Dinner Dance Ronald Thomas walked across the room and very politely asked her to dance. They danced the night away while their neighbors all watched them fall in love! They were married soon after in Lyon, in the French Wine Country. Ronald and Alice shared 13 years of love, blessings, adventure and dedication to one another before he preceded her in death in February of this year.

She and Ronald Thomas were longtime members of the Elks lodge. Wilson Creek Winery was one of their favorite places to go and meet friends for music and dinners. Alice especially enjoyed weekly swimming exercise classes led by Kay at Eastlake.

Alice had some late in life adventures after Ron passed away with nephew Bryan Wood with drives to see wild Burros in Moreno Valley, “off roading” to the top of mountains in Hemet where she enjoyed the views of Diamond Valley and Diamond Valley Lake and walks around Diamond Valley Lake. She was always a great sport for a last minute drive somewhere up a mountain. One of her last adventures with him, there was no hesitation when he asked. “Do you want to go up the mountain to Idlewild?” She pulled herself up into his Landcruiser and off they went!

Her last few months of life were all about what was on the schedule each week for activities at Brookdale where she had moved. She always showed up for exercise, chair volleyball, dancing, dining and even a little “Nickel gambling” at the beautiful clubhouse at Brookdale. It was there she met WWII Veteran Bill Becker and thoroughly enjoyed conversations with him daily for meals! She loved that he was from New York just like her Ronald.

She is survived by her special nieces and nephews, Robert Brooks (Anna), Carl Dishman (Nam Yi), Carolyn Brooks Wood and numerous grand and great nephews and nieces. Some she was was especially close to and adored, Robb Brooks (Maribel), Jennifer Brooks Vandeven (Justin), Andrew Vandeven, Alexandria Vandeven, Bryan Wood, Bryan's son Broderick (Alexa) Ezekiel, Charlie, Asher.  Wendy Wood, Ashton Fothergill, Isabella Fothergill and Madden Fothergill. Alice Dishman is also survived by many long time friends of Eastlake, Kay, Nancy and Susan to name a few. And wonderful new special friend Bill Becker at Brookdale. She is also survived by “Daisy” whom she claimed as her dog. Daisy was at her bedside when she passed.