Alice Schwartz Mann

On December 7, 2024, Alice Schwartz Mann, age 101, decided that she wanted to enjoy Christmas more than she was going to be able to this year. Christmas was her favorite holiday. She already had the house decorated with her tree, ornaments, carolers, and nativity scene. Having said recently “I’ve done all that I can do”, she was surrounded by her family and those that loved her. Kristina said the Lord’s Prayer along with Mom and then her breathing softly slowed and stopped. She can see clearly now!

Alice Lawrence was born on March 26, 1923, in Sam Fordyce, TX to Luisa (Thatcher) Lawrence and John Lawrence. She was the youngest of five. Her father was widowed and there were also three sons from the previous marriage.

Friends she made she kept throughout her life. She had phone conversations with one of them every morning, Reinette Cottingham,100, that she knew from high school and work. Her other daily call was with her older sister, Josephine Stribling,102. She loved working and was more than proud of starting work at Southwestern Bell as a secretary at age 18 in 1941, and eventually completed 30 years of service with AT&T at age 62. Still wanting to work, she began volunteering at Methodist Hospital as a Bluebird and put in 25 years there ending in her 90’s. Alice loved life more than anything. Every experience was either “the best” or “the worst” (but those were few).

Most people, if they are lucky, get one good relationship in life. Alice had three distinct ones, experiencing all that life has to offer. She always said she did the right thing, things were black and white, right or wrong and her world and descriptions of everyone else’s reality were the right ones.

Alice married Walter Schwartz after WWII. Their union lasted five months short of 50 years and brought three girls into the world. Susan, Debbie, and then a lucky surprise Kristina. Alice went back to work when the first two were growing up but decided to do the “Mom thing” with the third. Alice went back to work when Kristy started middle school. Her husband Walter died at home in 1995, and she thought her world was over. She was come to find out a young 72.

In a Blessed Sacrament Grief Support group the following summer, she met Thomas Mann. They were married the next year. He was ten years younger and had eight grown children that she and they grew to love each other dearly. Together they traveled the world, going on several cruises, and did everything she ever dreamed of. When Tom got sick, she cared for him at home for a year and a half. When he died, they had been married 16 years, and she was 89. When she got home from the funeral, she told Susan and her husband Jim, there would be “no more men, just her and Jesus from now on”.

Staying active and social, she started talking to a gentleman from the North Star Mall walkers. He happened to live just around the corner from her house. Bennie Valenta also went to Blessed Sacrament and had lost his wife the year before. Another common interest was he liked to dance. Bennie was 17 years younger than Alice and they lived like happy teenagers for the last 11 years. Without Ben she would not have been able to remain in her beloved home and infinitely happy these last years.

Part of what kept her young was her drive to just keep going. She lived and endured life’s heartaches and losses. She chose to “experience” life to the fullest. When her body began to fail, she even kept experiencing that fully, staying conscious and present to her very last breath.

Alice was predeceased by her mother and father; brothers Sam, Lorenzo, Clyde, and Johnny; Sisters, Lila Mae Pruitt, and Viola Bennett; Husbands, Walter Schwartz, and Thomas Mann; Daughter, Debbie Madden; She is survived by her longtime companion, Bennie Valenta; her sister, Jo Stribling; and daughters, Susan Gobin (husband Jim), Kristina Rangel (husband Peter); Grandchildren, Lysa Hoelscher (husband John), Becca Floyd (partner Edward), John Floyd (partner Adrian), Reeci, Audrey, Noah, and Elijah Herrera, Zion and Jude Rangel. Great grandchildren; Schuyler Gibbons (husband Joel), Cameron Gott, Jordan Maddox (husband Jonathon), Taylor Gott; and six Great great-grandchildren. The Mann family; Suzanne (Daryl), Cindy (James), David (Lisa), and Ken (Luli); and all of their children and grandchildren. She was also predeceased by Randy, Steve, and Larry Mann. She also leaves behind nieces, nephews, and countless friends of all ages.

Many thanks to Dr. Frank Mueller and his father and grandfather who cared for Alice for 80 years in total. We are also grateful to Philip Reininger, her hairstylist of 58 years who made her day every single week until the end. Incredible appreciation for Patricia Ramirez and Monica Foley who also stepped in as caregivers in these final months to help keep mom home and assist Kristina. She loved their company and conversations.

Mom’s favorite personal celebrations were weddings and funerals, and she loved flowers. If you would like to send flowers, please consider reds and whites Christmas themed. Otherwise, you are welcome to contribute to a charity of your choice or Daily Word of Unity.

The family will receive friends for visitation from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, December 15, 2024, at Porter Loring Mortuary.

ROSARYSUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 20247:00 P.M.PORTER LORING MORTUARY1101 McCULLOUGH AVE., SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

MASSMONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 202410:00 A.M.BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH600 OBLATE DR., SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

Interment will follow in San Jose Cemetery 8535 Mission Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214.