LifeQs

Alice Diane Alstott Mathewson

Answer one question or many - using words, photos or other media.

What's your favorite picture of Alice?

Susan Grossman
Her graduation photo from Saginaw General Hospital School of Nursing.
editor@savvysenior.org
SANDI SWANSON
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What will you miss most about Alice?

Susan Grossman
Even when we were mad at each other, I knew she would always be there.
Athena Grossman
I will miss my weekly Saturday lunches with her. We both looked forward to it every week.
SANDI SWANSON
Everything!

How would Alice most want to be remembered?

Susan Grossman
She did the best she could with what she knew.
Athena Grossman
She genuinely cared about all people and she loved her family so much.
SANDI SWANSON
As the wonderful, loving, stubborn friend and caring nurse that she was always.

What made Alice laugh?

Susan Grossman
The absurdity of human behavior.
Athena Grossman
Susan’s answer is so true.
SANDI SWANSON
Stories about our grandkids that we shared. We all loved being grandmas so much.

What did Alice love?

Susan Grossman
Being a nurse and helping people.
SANDI SWANSON
Her family! Her kids and grand kids and her amazing husband Dick. She went to see him almost everyday and hated that he could not be with her at home anymore. So many wonderful stories about them.

What are your best memories of time together?

Susan Grossman
Visits when I lived out of the state and out of the country. She was game to try things out of her comfort zone.
SANDI SWANSON
At Goddard it was her encouragement to better myself. After we retired and began meeting for lunches with JoAnne McCarty and sometimes Louise (before she passed), it was the laughter and tears we all shared.

Did Alice have a favorite phrase or common mannerism?

Susan Grossman
"No one starved." She did not enjoy cooking.
SANDI SWANSON
"Oh for heaven sake, TRY IT! What do you have to lose"?

What did you learn from Alice?

Susan Grossman
Pursue higher education, color my hair when it started to turn gray, and learn to take care of my own finances.
SANDI SWANSON
Always be willing to try something new and challenging. If you don't like it the first time, try it again. (Sorry honey, I still don't like Opera. LOL). But because of you, I loved Cardiac and Trauma nursing. Oh, and you were right... being a grandma is the greatest thing ever!

If you could send Alice a message now, what would you say?

Susan Grossman
I am sorry your 85th year was difficult. But thank you for all that you did to help me, especially when the kids and I moved back to Norman. We butted heads for sure, but you were a wonderful grandmother.
SANDI SWANSON
I am so sorry that our lunch get together's ended. We had so much fun laughing sharing our lives together. I know JoAnne is with you too. I can't believe I lost you both in a matter of days. You were both such a blessing in my life. I love you!

What do you most want people in the future to know about Alice?

Susan Grossman
She did her best to do the right thing..
SANDI SWANSON
She was an amazing nurse. She touched the lives of every student she came in contact with at Goddard. Always answering questions they had and educating them on life. She was an amazing friend and I miss her.

What were Alice's greatest passions?

Susan Grossman
Nursing and music, especially opera.
SANDI SWANSON
Nursing, family and friends and reading!! She loved her books! She loved opera and encouraged me often to listen to it. She loved her grandchildren and talked about them every time we would get together.

Post a photo from each decade of Alice's life