Alice Fite Henry, 93, passed away Monday, January 20, 2020 at Country Manor Memory Care & Assisted Living in Davenport, Iowa. Per her wishes, cremation rights have been accorded. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at Weerts Funeral home with a visitation at 10:00 am until the time of service. An inurnment will take place at a later date. Online condolences may be made at www.weertsfh.com.
Alice was born in New York City in September of 1926 to Walter and Alice Wetterer. She spent her early childhood in the part of New York City known as Fort Washington. Alice had fond memories of walking along the pedestrian paths of Fort Tryon Park and sleigh riding on the hilly streets near the Hudson River. She graduated from the Forest Hills High School in Queens, New York. During high school, Alice was active in the Born Againer’s Club, this is where she met her husband, Bob. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Bob Jones University. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Library Science from Columbia University in New York, New York. During her college years, Alice enjoyed singing in the college choir, writing for the college newspaper, teaching Sunday school in the local community and becoming a member of the Foreign Missions Fellowship.
In 1948, Alice married her first husband, Robert Fite. He preceded her in death in 1993. They purchased their first home in North Bellmore, New York. Alice taught English and was a librarian at Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, New York. After teaching, Alice was the founding librarian of the North Bellmore Public Library. Alice and Bob had two children, Barbara and Bob.
In 1974, Alice became the executive director of the American Association of School Librarians. She was instrumental in starting the Society of School Librarians International and was the organization’s first executive director.
After retirement, Alice got involved with P.E.O. after being introduced to it by her pastor’s wife, JoAnn Harvey. Alice was initiated into the P.E.O. Chapter NC in 1995. After moving to Florida in 1997, she remained active with the Sarasota, Florida Chapter of P.E.O.
In 1997, Alice married the best man from her wedding in 1948, Reverend Donald Henry. He preceded her in death in 2006. Alice moved to Sarasota, Florida where she was active in P.E.O., First Baptist Church of Sarasota and the Sarasota Women’s Republican Club, where she served as a Club President.
Those left to honor Alice’s memory include daughter, Barbara Copeland and son, Robert (Diane) Fite Jr; Don’s daughters, Ruthanne (Michael) Ferreira and Susan (Dale) Blackburn; brother, Ernest Wetterer; Alice’s grandchildren, Tony (Cindy) Copeland, Christopher (Jackie) Copeland, Rebecca (Michael) Clark, Robert Fite III, Tori (Rylan) McQuade and Cassie Ham; and Alice’s great-grandchildren, Kendall, Mason, Ezra, Parker, Callum and one on the way in June 2020.
Alice was preceded in death by husbands, Robert Fite and Donald Henry; brother, Raymond Langton and son-in-law, Wayne Copeland.
