Alice Rosemary Neal Loeb

Alice Rosemary Neal Loeb peacefully passed away on Friday morning, August 14, 2026, at the age of 77 in Tampa, Florida. Comforted by family during her final days (including her son, daughter-in-law, sister, brother, niece, and nephews), Alice left for heaven to be with her family, friends, and her beloved dachshund (and best friend), Chauncey.

Alice was born to Fred and Myrtle (Blackwell) Neal on February 23, 1949, in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Raised in the one (and only) family home built by her parents at 316 Linda Vista Drive, Alice attended Edneyville High School, where she served as the yearbook publication editor and student newspaper art editor. After graduating in 1967, Alice attended Appalachian State University with a focus on education. Never satisfied with achieving the bare minimum for professional success, Alice went on to earn two master’s degrees—a Master of Science in Reading from Florida International University and a Master of Education from the University of South Florida. Alice earned the latter degree while working full time as a single mother.

In her first application to secure a job, Alice explained, “It is my ambition to teach, I think I can do a good job—I would like a chance to try.” To fulfill this stated ambition, Alice settled into the Hillsborough County school system in the early 1980s. Alice first gained employment at Lomax Elementary School in Tampa, where she taught math to underprivileged children. Unlike many teachers who took summers off, Alice worked throughout the calendar year to provide all children with an equal opportunity to get a better education and become future leaders in the community. Alice’s gift of teaching others earned her a promotion to Assistant Principal at Lomax. Following promotions to other leadership roles within the Hillsborough County school system, Alice ended her career in administration as an Elementary Education Generalist in Hillsborough County. Throughout her career, Alice served in leadership roles with the Blue Ribbon project and on committees, including ones to help eliminate bullying in public schools. She was even certified as an Associate Master Teacher by the State of Florida.

After she officially retired on May 22, 2009, Alice returned to the classroom to serve as a reading coach and mentor to young children who needed a bit of extra help in mastering language arts. Alice’s professional philosophy was simple: “I believe that all children can learn.” Alice’s professionalism did not go unrecognized by her peers. Though she received numerous awards and recognitions from the earliest days of her career, Alice received the ultimate accolade in 2007 when she was named the Hillsborough County Outstanding Administrator of the Year. In their farewell notes at her retirement, Alice’s colleagues fondly described her as Able, Ladylike, Intelligent, Charming, and Empathetic.

Alice enjoyed spending her free time with friends and family. Whether attending church on Sundays, volunteering in the church nursery, bringing food to a “covered dish” event, or getting her nails and hair done with her lady friends before an afternoon lunch, Alice always made sure to put the needs of others before her own. She also learned to fly a Cessna airplane and ultimately earned her pilot’s license. Often telling people she only needed one shot out of her revolver to hit her target, Alice was also an excellent markswoman.

Alice’s devotion to her family was unwavering. Traveling back home every holiday to Hendersonville, Alice continued to carry the tradition of her parents by hosting family gatherings—whether for the annual Apple Festival over Labor Day weekend or during the Christmas break. She was a wonderful cook…often pushing the culinary limits by creating new casseroles, sides, or dishes for others to enjoy. Above all else, though, was Alice’s ability to provide guidance and sage advice to anyone who needed her help (even in the most trying of circumstances). Alice always remained level-headed, kind, and patient with anything that came her way. All too often, Alice would tell someone who sought her advice, “Let me put it in my pipe and smoke on this one for a while.”

Alice left behind her son, Ethan Loeb of Tampa, and her daughter-in-law, Erin. Her two grandchildren, Riley and Reagan, were Alice’s highest priorities, as reflected by the infinite number of days and nights that she spent playing with them at her house, taking them to church, enjoying the backyard, or just taking a quick trip to Chick-fil-A to have some nuggets before letting the kids enjoy the playground. Alice enjoyed as much time as possible with her three siblings, their children, and their grandchildren:

(i) Pat “Patsy” Fanjoy and her husband, Adrian.

• Niece Julie “Julie Shawn” Ruth, her husband, Rick, and their children Ricky, T.J., Savannah, Murdoch, and Austin.

• Nephew Allan Fanjoy, his wife, Debbie, and their children Michelle and Aaron.

(ii) Nancy “Sissy” Burgess and her husband, Ronnie.

• Nephew Michael “the Bird” Burgess, his wife, Jennifer, and their son Sean.

(iii) David “Sammy” Neal and his wife, Martha Mintz.

• Nephew Scott Neal.

• Nephew Jeremy Neal and his wife, Amber.

Alice will be laid to rest in her “condo” and lie forever near her parents, Fred and Myrtle, as well as other family members who went to be with the Lord many years ago. The celebration of Alice’s life will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, located at 538 Tracy Grove Road in Hendersonville, North Carolina on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers or donations, please open a book and read it aloud to a child…just like Alice did for decades.