Alice Marie Hetman, 85, of Thonotosassa, FL was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. She was surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest in her memory. Alice passed away surrounded by family holding her hand & bringing comfort to her. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Alice. Alice was born January 6, 1936 in Brunswick, NY the daughter of Hazel (née Peckham) and Raymond Wagar.
Alice was born a farmer’s daughter. She would often recount stories & tales of her youth growing up being one of 14 siblings. There was never a dull moment. She would keep the grandkids listening entranced by the stories of plucking tomatoes off the vine and running barefoot through the crops.
As a young lady she met & married Stephen Hetman. They went on to have 4 daughters. Stephanie, Carol, Helen & Diana. She loved the simple joys of being a house wife and mother. They valued life’s simple things. She often spoke of dressing the girls up in beautiful matching dresses and walking to meet their daddy at work and walking home as a family together. She survived her husband Stephen and was tasked with raising their four girls.
Later, She met Richard Lee and found a friendship and a blended family. They became life partners and welcomed a son together, Richard (Ditchie) Lee. She had a huge soft spot for her only son.
They relocated to Florida and eventually settled in Ocala National Forest. Although she moved she had a fondness in her heart for New York and missed her family dearly. She loved being able to go back and visit later in life.
She became a grand mother and later a great grandmother and found a special happiness that came in that. Her love for her family was unmatched. She led by example showing her family what it was like to enjoy the small moments and make the most of what god had given you.
She eventually moved to the Tampa area to be closer with family. She loved spending time playing cards, games & enjoyed evening walks. She would never let you win a game of cards and found humor in watching you try to keep up. As she grew older she found game shows to be a new found love. Lord knows when you visited she’d out play the guests on the TV show.
Alice was also known for her fiery spirit, outgoing personality and quick wit. She would keep anyone on their toes; in fact she’d say as much.
She will be remembered for so many things. Alice had a special love for her family. She would drop anything if you called. Her simple way of living taught us all how to take pleasure in the small things that mattered most. A way to her heart was through Filet of Fish and a Fry from good ole McDonalds.
Alice was a devout Christian and a firm believer in Jesus. She knew the Lord and had a personal relationship with God. We find comfort in knowing she is in Heaven walking the streets of gold and we will be reunited one day.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen Hetman; and daughter, Stephanie Clark. Survivors include her son, Richard Lee (Tracy); daughters, Carol Waters (Steve), Helen Hetman (Sal), and Diana Jones (Tim); two brothers; two sisters; 9 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.blountcurryterraceoaks.com.
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