Many years have separated us. Alice was a daily fixture in our home in Woodmere. I knew her parents, the Singers, who loved her dearly. I took care of Mrs. Singer many times over the years. My husband and I took Alice with us on many trips and family gatherings. She was funny, warm and friendly. Loved animals always. After we moved from Woodmere 20 years ago, we lost touch. Our friend Jack stayed in touch with her and kept us abreast on Alice's adventures. Alice bought my daughter a beautiful sailor suit for her first birthday. One day Alice was wearing a beautiful (and expensive) fur coat. She met a woman who was begging and had no coat. She took the coat off and gave it to her saying that this woman needed it more than she did. She loved Bridgehampton, especially during the seasons other than summer (it was too busy for her she said). She invited us to stay with her many times out there. She loved my children and loved people. I am so glad she was surrounded by family and enjoyed her love for pets. Alice was definitely "one of a kind" and will be greatly missed. To understand Alice was to enjoy her being. She is now resting with her best friend, Jack Futoran. -- Elisa, Al, Rachel, Leah and Hannah Hinken

I had the pleasure of meeting Alice at her son Larry's (my boyfriend's) home on October 31, 2010, just a week before she passed. It was Halloween; she and her daughter Maureen were having lots of fun passing out candy to the trick-or-treaters in the neighborhood as they came to the door. Alice and Maureen also sat outside at a table for a while with candy greeting all the kids until Maureen said that the mosquitoes started biting. But I remember all of us having equally big smiles on our faces that night and having a great time. What a great memory I'll cherish.

Although I didn't have the opportunity to get to know Alice well, I can tell that she had a very warm, gentle, kind and sweet spirit. For the brief time I spent with Alice, she touched my heart, and for that I am forever blessed. How heartbreaking and sad for us remaining on earth that God called her home so soon, but what unparalleled happiness, peace and joy for Alice to be welcomed into heaven where there are no more tears or cares of life - only joy - and maybe even Woofy, too!

Though Alice is a rose now unseen by us, she is growing and spreading her sweet fragrance on the other side of the wall. (See poem below.)

You all will be in my prayers as you grieve the loss of this fine woman. Blessings and peace to each one of you.

The Rose Beyond The Wall - A. L. Frink

Near a shady wall a rose once grew,
Budded and blossomed in God's free light,
Watered and fed by the morning dew,
Shedding it's sweetness day and night.

As it grew and blossomed fair and tall,
Slowly rising to loftier height,
It came to a crevice in the wall
Through which there shone a beam of light.

Onward it crept with added strength
With never a thought of fear or pride,
It followed the light through the crevice's length
And unfolded itself on the other side.

The light, the dew, the broadening view
Were found the same as they were before,
And it lost itself in beauties new,
Breathing it's fragrance more and more.

Shall claim of death cause us to grieve
And make our courage faint and fall?
Nay! Let us faith and hope receive--
The rose still grows beyond the wall,

Scattering fragrance far and wide
Just as it did in days of yore,
Just as it did on the other side,
Just as it will forever-more.

When we needed a place to go to get away from it all for a few days, Aunt Alice always had an open door, big heart and great smile. We were just as happy to see her as she was to see us. Her smile and Woofie's tail shaking let us know that we were welcome. She will be greatly missed but she has some pretty great children to carry on. They, along with Richard, will be in heart and minds. THREE CHEERS FOR AUNT ALICE!!!!!