Alice Rose Thomson

Alice was born on the Grand Concourse in the Bronx, NY on February 3, 1925 to Lucy Farina and Nate Zuckerberg. Her brother, Robert, was born thirteen years later at about the time Walter Thomson was falling desperately in love with her at Christopher Columbus High. Alice was emerging from her tomboy stage to become a beautiful girl with the ?gorgeous blue eyes?. Although very shy and only 5 feet tall, she was a feisty member of the ?Leader?s Club?, refereeing high school basketball games, and also riding horses alone in Central Park. Walt finally prevailed over other suitors to squire her to the ?Lindy? prom in Manhattan where another ?blue eyes? that?s right-Sinatra! serenaded the graduates in ?41. At age 18 Alice followed Walt, now an enlisted Army Air Corps glider pilot, to Scott Field Illinois where they married on November 12, 1943. She very much enjoyed her travels with him through his training which ended at Lubbock TX in 1944 and from there he was sent to the Pacific islands. Alice, one of the ?Greatest Generation,? then returned alone to a Central Park apartment to care for her brother and work in Manhattan. In 1946, Walt was reunited with his loving wife to continue 55 years of a wonderful humor-filled marriage and to raise, with much love, their only child, Alyce born in ?51.

Alice, was not only beautiful, elegant and full of grace, but her sparkling blue eyes radiated love, sweetness and warmth. She was the most amazing Mother and ?Nana?. Her favorite home of 30-odd years was Endwell NY where her life-long friends know her as the 5 foot dynamo- a charmer, full of fun- but yet a devoted caring friend. She tolerated no prejudice nor unkindness, and was an outspoken champion of the underdog. Alice was a true lioness who would protect and nurture her family with all her power. She always sought the very best for her daughter and granddaughter, but most importantly gave them the confidence to aspire to their largest dreams. She was devoted to Walt during his successful career at IBM and SUNY, always ?his rock?, and kept busy volunteering/working at school and charities, crafts and knitting, making the tastiest dinners and spiedis, and organizing spirited Bridge games among diverse sets of friends. She shared Walt?s love of sports and of course, was a die-hard fan of the NY Giants and Yankees, and not only watched avidly, but took up tennis in her forties. Alice had a soft spot for all children and animals; their terrier dogs through the years became her children.

Alice waited patiently to become a Nana and in her daughter?s eyes, was the best ever! Alice and Walt moved to NJ in 1988 to help Alyce and her husband, Lowell, with the care of their new baby, Alyssa. The Thomsons then followed the Fritzs to WA in early 1991, to be near and continue to help look after Alyssa in their Kala Point, Port Townsend home which they filled with much love, comfort, laughter and lively activities. Alice introduced Alyssa to her passion of horseback riding, joining her in lessons and encouraging Alyssa to achieve her many accomplishments as an equestrian. Alice and Walt were a great team, particularly as parents and grandparents, instilling love, kindness, compassion, creativity, independence and confidence, always with a ready smile. ?Nana? Alice leaves a legacy of happy memories, chuckles, and a model for loving and enabling Motherhood that will always serve to inspire. Alice tragically lost Walter to Alzheimers disease, and though we all will miss her very much, we are consoled in believing there has been another happy reunion of the high school sweethearts - for eternity.

Inurnment at Abbey View Cemetery, Brier, Washington. Memorial service to be held Thursday, September 12, 2002 4:00pm at Crista Nursing Home in the Ray Smith Room.19393 Fremont Ave North, Shoreline, Washington.