Alice E. Rubash

Alice Elizabeth Chapman Rubash loved God, life and people. And people loved her. That is her legacy. She passed away Sunday, July 28, 2024 at the age of 91 in Evanston, IL with many loved ones surrounding her in her last weeks. The most important thing about Alice was not the many degrees or honors she received throughout her life but rather, it was her ability to make people feel seen, heard, loved, and valued.

Alice was born in Rochester, MN in 1932. She grew up in the small coal mining town of Welch, WV, where her father was a doctor. At 18, Alice spent a summer at a work camp at Lakota Pine Ridge. It influenced her whole life. She and Norman gave money to support the language conservancy in creating the Lakota dictionary. She mentioned a return trip just before she died.

After graduating as high school valedictorian in 1950, she attended Stevens College, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and the University of Pittsburgh for a Masters of Social Work. She met Norman Rubash, her husband, in the law library. She asked him if he knew the meaning of ab initio (“from the beginning”), thus initiating a partnership of over 60 years, living in various places in the the United States, England, Egypt and Canada. Additionally, they traveled to many parts of the world.

Alice always felt that she was given a second chance at life when in 1963, at age 30, and with three daughters under the age of five, she was diagnosed with metastatic cancer. On the night before her surgery, Jesus appeared by her bedside. He touched her and told her that he would never leave her or forsake her, and she held onto that promise for the next 60 years. He was faithful to keep his promise.

Sometime in the 1970s, Alice began her weekly “Dear Ones” letters. She always said these would be put into a book, "Darling, We’re Transferred", reflecting the 20 moves for Norm’s job.

Everywhere they went, she joined organizations and worked as a social worker or volunteer - e.g., Girl Scouts, League of Women Voters, Women's Institute, International Women's Groups, Newcomers, nursing homes (piano playing), and Dean of Foreign Students (Cairo University where she worked with American students). She was also very active in welcoming international students, missionaries, visiting scholars and anyone else who needed a warm welcome, comfortable bed and delicious meal. Many long-term relationships started this way, with people from around the world joining the family. Alice and Norm’s support for Bright Stars of Bethlehem - where Palestinian students’ lives are transformed - began in 2006 when, after a conference, Alice realized the speaker, Mitri Rahab, had no place to stay. He was invited home and connections with Bethlehem were made.

And, there was always church involvement, from leading youth groups to running marriage weekends. Alice was a longtime member, elder and active participant in many parts of the life of First Presbyterian Church of Evanston, where she was a beloved friend to countless people over the years. She was instrumental in starting the Stephen Ministry and Cursillo (now Pilgrimage) at First Pres.

Alice had many avocations as well. Longview, the family farm, included an herb garden where Alice spent many joyful hours with family and friends. Unbeknownst to many, she is also the author of numerous one-act plays, one of which was performed at Northlight Theater. She also enjoyed improv theater with a local theater group.

Alice began her devotion to piano at six, and continued to use it to bring people together. Music was always a part of her life and she treated her family to hours of music, sometimes classical, but also hymns, choruses and anything else that could be sung in a group. She passed on her love of music and piano to her children and grandchildren, and completed original compositions for a number of her grandchildren.

Most importantly, Alice was known for her ability to get to know people and make them comfortable and loved. At holiday meals, people were added and welcomed as part of the family, where her faithful hospitality was a gift to be admired and emulated. There was always enough love for everyone. Her immediate family felt this, her nieces and nephews, friends from church and neighborhood and even the friends of her children were touched.

Alice is survived by her siblings, Dorothy Sullivan and Marshall Chapman (Mary), her three daughters, Karen Hudson (Jim), Amy McAuley (Jim) and Janet Getz (Brad).

She took pleasure in her ten grandchildren: Miriam, Ruth, Luke (Becky), Annaliese (Jordan), John (Kelsey), Daniel (Whitney), David, Christopher (Emily), Matthew (Michal) and Joshua (Madeline). She welcomed their spouses and each great-grandchild with delight.

There are presently 6 great grandchildren: Natalie, Finley, Kateri, Lochlan, Janelle and Jack. Alice is also survived by and will be missed by nephews, nieces, adopted family members and countless friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, September 6, 2024 2:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Evanston, 1427 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60201. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bright Stars of Bethlehem, P.O. Box 771055, Chicago, IL 60677-1055, see link below, or First Presbyterian Church of Evanston (Designated for Stephen Ministries and/or Pilgrimage [formerly Cursillo]).