Our loving mother Alice Mays, 97, of Manahawkin, NJ passed away peacefully on Sunday August 16, 2026. She was born in Elizabeth and lived in Linden, East Brunswick and Bayville before settling down in Eagleswood with her beloved husband so many years ago.
Alice was employed as a Recovery Room nurse at Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ and enjoyed a 30-year career in the hospital including Med/Surg, Emergency and Same Day Surgery. She respectfully and lovingly cared for a countless number of patients with her coworkers. She was a very compassionate person and shared joy in their success and pain in their loss. These qualities characterized her as a capable, strong, empathetic person and guided her throughout her life.
Alice was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She cherished good times spent with those she loved. She enjoyed traveling, camping with her husband and friends in New England and Virginia, and winters spent in the warmth of Florida. She loved playing with the grandchildren and ultimately, the great-grandchildren. She always treated the children with so much pride and love.
Alice would sometimes say she would dream of her husband and that he was keeping watch over her. It is comforting to know that he was waiting for her on the other side.
She is predeceased by her husband William Charles, son William John, parents John and Elizabeth Shoplock, and siblings "Bette", John and Edward. She is survived by daughters Karen and spouse Larry Orrok, Elizabeth Ann, Nancy and spouse George Damiano; daughter-in-law Laura Mays, nine grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, loving nieces and nephews, and great friends.
Visitation will take place on Thursday August 20th, 2026 from 11am-1pm at Thos L Shinn Funeral Home, 10 Hilliard Dr., Manahawkin, NJ. Burial will follow at West Creek Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the charity of your choice.
To leave online condolences and fond memories of Alice for the family, please visit www.shinnfuneralhome.com
