Alice J. Turek Grove

While it is possible to receive good counsel from a wide circle of family and friends, few could do it with the skill and aptitude of Alice J Grove. She had a true talent for helping others reach their full potential and brought out the best in those who sought her help. Alice was a forward-looking woman whose personality was filled with empathy toward everyone she met. She could be quiet and reserved, but her style of communication was authentic and direct. An excellent communicator, Alice was a master at using imagery when she explained her ideas and concepts. She seemed to have an endless supply of innovative concepts and strategies for how to help those around her. Her sensitivity, kindness and generous attitude made her a wonderful friend for all who knew her.

From the time she was born on April 7, 1920, Alice showed a deep concern for others. She was a giving and caring individual, ethical and full of integrity and warmth. Alice came into this world at at home in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents were Aloysius and Jenny Turek. Alice was raised in Berwyn, Illinois.

Because fellowship was so important to her, Alice promoted harmony with her siblings. She was raised with four siblings. She had two brothers, Richard and Arthur J., two sisters, Adele Jean and Aileen June. Alice was something of the family diplomat. She helped to settle problems and conflicts and kept the family running smoothly.

As a young girl, Alice interacted well with other children. She was helpful. She was an independent person who had a vivid imagination. Alice had a number of interests in her youth. She was an active child. Alice took part in drawing and cooking. She was a ballerina at age three. In her spare time she liked to read and play with animals. Alice's memorable achievements included artistic works, spelling and penmanship calligraphy.

A good student who was enthusiastic about learning, Alice was considered by many to be a high achiever. She attended Morton Jr. High School where she enjoyed some classes more than others, having favorite courses and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was Literature.

Able to maintain a positive focus on the potential good to be found in others, Alice was always ready with solid advice and guidance to offer her group of friends. She was generally friendly to all who knew her, yet to some she seemed quite independent. For those who really knew Alice, they recognized that she could be full of surprises. Alice enjoyed a small but solid group of true friends. She would willingly support those friends when they needed it. Because of her ability to read people, she had an uncanny knack for knowing when a friend needed help. While growing up, some of her best friends were Alice Nipsal, Lillian Terdina and her Cousins. Later in life, she became friends with Elaine and Marvin Polko.

Alice was romantic, even poetic at times. She was completely devoted to family and friends, able to show her emotions without going overboard about it. On New Years Eve, 1936 Alice exchanged wedding vows with Edgar E. Grove of Berwyn, Illinois.

All who knew her would agree that there was a certain kind of magic in how Alice was able to bond with her children. While she could be a firm disciplinarian, she could also fill the role of being a collaborator with her kids. Alice was always a mentor who helped her family reach its full potential. Alice was blessed with two children, Shirley Grove Valevicius and Edgar Grove Jr. She was also blessed with two grandchildren, Tony and Cheryl and two great grandchildren, Alec and Ryan.

Alice projected a subtle but positive influence in her workplace. She was comfortable working behind the scenes to help everyone get their job done, and she worked hard at all times to help others to reach their highest potential. While her colleagues did not view her as a high-spirited type, Alice was effective at working with others to gain acceptance for her ideas. Alice could be a perfectionist at times, but wasn’t one to seek out personal recognitions. She possessed excellent insight and a strong ability to meet schedules. She was an innovator who worked well independently, and she enjoyed the task of meeting a constant array of challenges. Her primary occupation began in sales and later as an expediter. She was employed for Western Electric.

As an imaginative and inventive person, Alice was comfortable showing her creative spirit. She enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Once Alice took on a new project, she saw it through to its completion. Her favorite pursuits were cooking, drawing, reading, and watching movies. She was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

Alice was one who put forth her best effort in every aspect of her life, and that carried over to her participation in sports as well. Recreational sports included swimming. Alice was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were Chicago Bears football and Chicago Cubs baseball.

Because Alice was a person who enjoyed helping, teaching and working with others, she was a perfect fit for many types of organizations. Her ability to encourage others, energize the group and her ability to solve all sorts of problems made her a desirable member of a wide variety of organizations. Throughout her later years, Alice was an active member of the Pioneers Retirement Club of Western Electric.

Alice's attitude of working to make every day better was a way of life for her. It was a philosophy that she carried into her community activities and service. Serving on committees for the PTA. Politically, Alice was Democratic or Independent.

Alice was a woman with clear convictions and high principles, and her faith was important to her. She was an inspiration to many people who recognized her sense of commitment and esteem for others. She was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church.

Alice was a well-respected woman who was charitable in every way. She would contribute without hesitation for the benefit of others. As a result, Alice received many accolades for varied efforts throughout her life. Some of her most prestigious awards included her picture in Pioneers Magazine.

Alice possessed strong skills in long-range planning and project completion, a quality that positively influenced her travel and vacation planning. Favorite vacations included West Palm Beach Florida.

Alice was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of Alice's favorites was Rags, an Airedale.

As someone who treasured harmony and quiet, Alice accepted retirement and made the most of it. That day finally came in 1981, and Alice was well prepared. Her new life involved relocating to Lombard, Illinois. In retirement, she found new pleasure in cooking, reading, shopping, and traveling.

Alice passed away on September 4, 2010 at Brighton Gardens Assisted Living Center in Wheaton, Illinois of COPD and complications of CDFF. She is survived by a daughter Shirley Valevicius, two grandchildren, two great grandchildren, a brother and two sisters. Services were held at Christ the King Catholic Church.

Though she could be a private person at times, Alice was always able and willing to give of herself. She was so in tune with others that she often seemed able to read their minds. Alice carried with her an almost mystical sense of life. She was a person who was highly original in her thinking and used metaphors and symbols to describe many aspects of her life. A poetic, intuitive “teacher”, Alice J Grove shared herself freely and family and friends will remember Alice for both her beauty both inside and out and the strength of her convictions.

Alice J. Grove 90 nee Turek

Beloved wife of the late Edgar E.,

Loving mother of Shirley (the late Tony) Valevicius and

The late Edgar E. Grove Jr., proud grandmother of

Tony Valevicius, and Cheryl (Todd) Barrett, great grandmother of

Ryan and Alec Barrett, dear sister of Adele (Jim) Ullmer Aileen Fisher and Arthur Turek. Retired employee of Western Electric, member of the

Western Electric Pioneers. Memorial Mass 10:00am Saturday September 18, 2010 at Christ the King Catholic Church 1S365 Main St Lombard Ill.

Blake-Lamb Funeral Directors for information 630-964-9392