A memorial service for Alice Marie Michael was held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Vigil and rosary were on March 8 and Memorial Mass was on March 9. Father Thomas Elavunkal officiated.
Aunt Alice passed peacefully at home, Thursday March 5, 2015 at 5:03 p.m., with family.
Alice was a lifelong resident of Many, attending St. John’s School and a graduate of Many High School. She was a devoted lifelong member of St. John’s church congregation.
She worked all her life, enjoying a long career as bookkeeper with Many Motors Ford Dealership and later in the Ft. Polk payroll department, from which she retired.
Having never married, Alice was a devoted aunt to all her nieces and nephews. She shared her artistic talents, Sunday driving adventures and seemed to never miss sending a card of gift on birthdays and Christmas, memories we all cherish.
While cooking may not have been a favorite pastime, she managed to share special family recipes such as Kibbie, cabbage rolls and homemade rolls all originating from her Great grandmother of Syrian, Catherine “Sittie” Mowad. At age 7, Alice lost her father, Carl Michael, son of Tony Michael and Mary Mowad-Michael, but their Syrian heritage remained a point of pride with her. She loved him very much and her memory of him never faded.
Alice’s mother of Russian-Polish decent lived to age 101. Always industrious as a seamstress and merchant while raising her three daughters, Helen, Alice and Lillian to be caring, productive and beautiful young ladies.
Being from a close knit family Alice often extended a hand as relatives aged or were ill, which often meant a fresh dish of cabbage rolls and a phone call to their home. She was a devoted caregiver to her mother all her life.
Being a beautiful, thoughtful and caring lady is probably the best way to describe and remember Alice.
Her mother, Mary Kos-Michael, grandparents, Joseph Kos Sr. and Eva Maria Tarapat-Kos escaped the Bolshevik Revolution by immigrating in 1903.
Later Joseph Kos Sr. with his four children Mary, Joe Jr. Nellie and Yulee came to settle in Sabine Parish on a farm they purchased south of Many.
There, along with raising cotton, tobacco and other crops, Alice’s parents opened a market. Later to expand and move closer into Many. Alice to be asked her memories of those times. A favorite story she’d recalled was when a band of Gypsies camped their colorful wagons at the foot of the farm’s drive. The music and dancing and revelry lasted a week but the memory would last a lifetime.
Alice’s nature was reserved. A quiet lady, never one to boast or brag but with a sense of humor and a way to make her point that often wasn’t realized until much later. Subtle in her reproach, one learned to listen very carefully to what she said.
While physical infirmities plagued her in these last years, there were moments, hours and days she enjoyed life. She enjoyed her yard, love of classic movies, vintage magazines but most of all her loving family. That we got to share these times of her life was her final gift. Her last words were an emphatic “I’m fine.” Indeed she was. God bless her.
Alice was preceded in death by her father, Carl Michael; mother, Mary Kos-Michael; sisters Helen-Michael Springer, Lillian Michael-Vines and two half brothers.
She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Her family wishes to thank Dr. Founds and staff, Thompson’s Home Health team, and Superior Hospice. A very special thanks is extended to Jolene Ford who Alice depended on like family. A specific thanks to Father Thomas for the time he gave, the visits and attention he gave Alice.
Rose-Neath Funeral Home-Many, LA