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Bishop's Notebook
05 March 2007

My Dear Friends,

It is with great sadness that I tell you Alice Humphreys – wife of Bill Humphreys (Col., USAF, Ret.), lay Pastoral Leader of the Episcopal Congregation at Ramstein Air Base in Germany – died this past Saturday afternoon, March 3rd.

It was a peaceful passing after a long and brave fight against her cancer. Her husband Bill, who has been faithfully supporting her all these months, was at her side. Funeral details and plans for memorials that are known to us follow below.

Please log onto the Bishop’s Notebook to read more about our sister’s passing and, if you are inclined, post your messages which Bill and his family can read.

May her soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Faithfully,

Bishop George Packard

Visitation will be held Thursday, March 8, 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Feeney Funeral Home, 232 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450, (201) 444-7650.

Funeral Services will be held at St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church, 169 Fairmount Road, Ridgewood on Friday, March 9, 2007 at 11:00am.

A chapel service will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 70 Wood Avenue, Whitesboro, NY on Saturday, March 10, 2007 at 11:00am, (315) 736-4446

Flowers may go to funeral home or church, or contributions may be made to:

Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT 84741-5000,
(435) 644-2001

Calvary Fund, Calvary Hospital, 1740 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY 10461
(718)518-2077

FOREVER ALICE
A Tribute by Bill Humphreys

“A vivacious redhead, full of laughter and beauty,” is how her husband Bill describes Alice in one of the poems he has written for her. Born in Alabama, where her father was manager of the Reynolds Aluminum Plant near Florence, she was the third child and only daughter of Merrill A. J. Phillips and Alice McCarthy Phillips. Her brothers are Michael and Martin Phillips. She grew up in Utica, New York where she attended Utica Catholic Academy. She is a graduate of the College of Mount Saint Vincent in New York City.

Immediately after her college graduation, she flew to Goose Air Base in Labrador, Canada where her brother Marty Phillips, an Air Force officer, was stationed with his wife Martha and their children, Amy and Mark. She “swooped down” on the Goose. Marty met her plane and drove straight to the Officers Club. On the dance floor, he introduced Alice to his friend and fellow Air Force officer, Bill Humphreys, Commander of Melville Air Station, a radar site overlooking Goose Bay. It was “love at first sight.” After several dates in the Club, where Alice often tilted wall pictures if she found them hanging straight, after tours of Melville and even dinner aboard a cargo ship in Goose Bay, they were married. Bill proposed to her with one red rose and one of the oldest lines in the book, “I’ll buy you jewels. We’ll travel.” Using such an old line was meant to be humorous, but Alice took it very seriously, as Bill soon learned.

For a self-described “college hippie, with little interest in material things,” Alice adapted very well to Air Force life. She learned “You won’t get rich in the Air Force, but you can live in genteel poverty.” It also provides ample opportunity to pursue her favorite pastimes: dining out; shopping all over the world; and traveling to “faraway places with the strange sounding names.” By also going to familiar places, she and Bill stay in touch with family and friends who live all over the map. From Goose Bay, they moved to Vance Air Force Base near Enid, Oklahoma where their daughter Mandy was born an “Okie.” They later moved to Ramstein Air Base, Germany where Mandy grew up as a cosmopolitan citizen of the world, with both an American and German education. She attended St Katharina’s school in Landstuhl, Germany; earned her Abitur at Heinrich Heine in Kaiserslautern, Germany; and attended Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. While attending German schools, Mandy met Patrick Lebron, whom she later married.

Alice began working in the overseas school system and in the Adult Continuing Education Program for the military. She obtained her Masters Degree from Boston University and became a Licensed Professional Counselor in Behavioral Psychology at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center after working at Kleber Kaserne and Baumholder Military Community in Germany. She volunteered to collect clothes for wounded troops coming though Landstuhl from Afghanistan and Iraq. Her career has enabled her to meet and help hundreds of people from all over the world, whether military, civilian, American, German or others. For several years she and Bill have made their home in Huetschenhausen, Germany, near Landstuhl, where their daughter Mandy lives. It is near Ramstein Air Base, the hub of global U. S. and Allied military operations. This has given Alice the opportunity to become friends with people from around the world.

Four words sum up and really define who Alice is. These words are Fun, Family, Faith and Friendships.

A few quotes and comments from those who know her best will help to illustrate how each describes her:

Fun: “Alice and I make the perfect couple. She’s tons of fun and I’m no fun at all.”
– Bill Humphreys.

“What fun you’ve had in the midst of all your challenges, and what fun you’ve helped many others have with your generous hosting over the years.”
– Fr Dave Cottrill (a former chaplain at Ramstein Air Base).

“The brightest, sunniest and most upbeat person I’ve ever known.”
– Carolyn Ballou from Hawaii (friend).

“We have the frequent eater plan.”
– Alice (what she says to friends in a restaurant, Gasthaus or at Brunch).

“If there is one thing people think of first when they think of Alice, it is what a fun person she is.”
– Bill

Family: “Isn’t she beautiful?”
– Alice (words she interjected into every conversation she had with Bill or anyone else at Goose Bay, Labrador, when Martha Phillips’ name was mentioned by anyone).

“She talks so much about ‘My Bill’ at the office that her colleagues joke about it being just one word.”
– Don Schuman (a former supervisor at the Addiction Treatment Facility at Landstuhl Medical Center).
“The greatest, strongest and most wonderful person I have ever known.”
– Bill Humphreys (her husband).

“You are the best Mom and the greatest Nana in the whole world.”
– Amanda Alice (her daughter), and Tyler William, Kaitlyn Rose and Mason Patrick Lebron (her grandchildren).

Alice has always loved to talk about her family. Her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, cousins, husband, daughter, grandchildren and Tara, the family dog, are well known to everyone who knows Alice. She speaks fondly of her childhood, her father, mother and Aunt Florence. She talks about riding her bicycle home from school and stopping at Aunt Eleanor’s for a treat. She remembers the Summers in Ft Myers with her Florida family, Aunt Iona, Uncle Kel, Justin and Kevin McCarthy. She flew to Ireland with her mother and to Canada to see her brother, instead of backpacking with college friends to other places. She remembers birthdays and sends cards for St Patrick’s Day (Who but Alice?) and turkeys for Christmas. She enjoys family gatherings at her brother Marty’s camp in the Adirondacks and boating on the lakes.

While creating her own home and family in Oklahoma and Germany, she made certain that her daughter Mandy’s childhood was filled with warm and happy memories of Christmas with Memaw, (Bill’s mother), Auntie (Bill’s sister), Uncle Don, Uncle Fred (Bill’s brother), and Aunt Bobbie in Oklahoma as well as with Uncle Marty and Aunt Martha in New Jersey and with the Leisters, Karl, Liesel and Doris, in Germany. Alice has taken her on family trips to the Alps, the Rhein, the Black Forest, Hamburg and Berlin, with visitors such as Grandma Phillips, Aunt Marion, Memaw, Shanan, Merrill, Michele, Aunt Eleanor, Doug, David, Beth, Uncle John, Aunt Carolyn, Uncle Marty, Aunt Martha, Amy, Mark, Auntie, Uncle Don, Uncle Fred, Aunt Bobbie, and others, including Mandy’s British Au Pair, Jennifer Petit.

Alice’s concept of family really expanded when her grandchildren arrived. First was Tyler, a beautiful boy with light red hair. Then the twins, Kaitlyn Rose, a striking red head like her Nana, and Mason, a smart and loveable little boy who could steal anyone’s heart. Alice’s hobbies of shopping and travel really took off as she delighted in buying for birthdays, Christmas and every other day of the year. She takes Kaitlyn to ballet classes, Tyler to church, and Mason to IKEA. They all get their chance to spend time with Nana. Alice never misses a chance to take them to Disneyland Paris or Disney World in Florida. Alice’s family has been very supportive of her during her recent hospitalizations in New York. This is especially true of Marty Phillips, her brother and his wife Martha, Amy Bourque, her niece and her husband Harry, Mark Phillips, her nephew and his wife Tina. Mandy, her daughter, and Tyler, her grandson, have flown all the way from Germany several times. Bill’s sister, Orpha Wages, has flown from Oklahoma more than once.

Faith: “I am particularly grateful for the example of faith and courage you continue to live.”
– Ch (Col) Carl Andrews (Command Chaplain, United States Air Forces Europe)

“I especially appreciate the way you welcomed me into the Episcopal Church. I’m still there.” – Ch (Col) Mike Ashley (Former Command Chaplain, Unites States Air Forces Europe)

“Alice, God’s humble and faithful servant.”
– Dana Downey, Col USAF retired (close personal friend).

The daughter of devout Catholics, Alice was baptized and confirmed in early infancy because of a life threatening condition for which she was treated at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital. She is proud of her parochial education. The church has always been an important part of her life. From the time she and Bill first arrived in Germany she has been active in the Ramstein Chapel Program. She serves St Alban’s Episcopal Community as a Lay Eucharistic Minister. She has actively participated in many European Episcopal Conferences in Germany at Berchtesgaden, Bernkastel-Kues, Chiemsee, Kreidacher Hoehe, Sonthofen, Willingen and Ebernburg, as well as Chapel Trips to Holland and Pilgrimages to Canterbury.

She has worked with many bishops and priests with whom she and Bill have formed life-long friendships. Most notable among these is the current Bishop for the Armed Forces, the Right Reverend George Packard who has provided exceptional pastoral care for Alice during her recent treatment and hospitalization at Memorial and Calvary Hospitals in New York. Bishop Packard has always taken the lead, but many other thoughtful priests and chaplains have also been quick to minister to her through prayers, visits and bedside Eucharists. Among these are Father Gerry Blackburn from New York, Father Keith Lewis from Alabama, Father Norman Desrosiers from Florida, Father Carl Wright from Utah, Father Richard Crozier from Germany, and Father Carl Andrews from Germany. Chaplains Conferences, Religious Orders, Bible Classes, and Churches of many denominations around the world have put Alice on their prayer lists.

Friendships: “Is there anyone Alice doesn’t know?”
– A question Bill is often asked by many people.

“Your bright spirit always lifts me up and breathes new life into me. You have been such an inspiration to me, Alice, a woman tackling life head on with grace, dignity, flair, love and passion. We all love you very much.”
– Karen Johansen (friend),wife of Dr (Col) Luther Johansen, Dept of Behavioral Psychology.

“We are truly blessed to have you in our lives.”
– Dr (Col) Sally Harvey and her husband Rich (friends).

“You made me feel welcome at the ATF, and I always looked forward to sharing a laugh!”
– Sue Wilber

“No one deserves a miracle more than our dear Alice.”
– Donna Schuman (a dear friend and colleague).

In addition to clergy and relatives, Alice has many wonderful friends who have supported her in her time of illness by making visits to her, some from great distances. Foremost among these are Connie Fischer from Germany (her colleague at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center who has provided very helpful liaison with her work place); Don and Donna Schuman from Texas; Dewell and Dana Downey from Texas; Dr Bill Stockton from Maryland; and Dr (Col) Sally Harvey from Maryland and Rich Harvey from Colorado.

Alice has also been supported by friends and relatives who have been unable to travel to New York, but have demonstrated their love for her through phone calls, cards, letters, flowers and other thoughtful gifts.

All of the following names represent not only the individuals named, but also their family members. These include all members of St Alban’s Episcopal Community, the staff of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the Addiction Treatment Facility, the Army Substance Abuse Program Clinical Directors, Dr (Col) Mike Warvarovsky, Dr (Col) Luther Johansen, Patrick Lebron, John Humphreys, Mike Phillips, Leonard Humphreys, Roswitha Lebron, Kaitlyn and Mason Lebron, Shanan Weeks, Gerry Warner, Tonya Parham,
Barbara Abbott, Lynne Andrews, Gwyneth Andrews, Ch (Col) Mike Ashley, Marshall Ballou, Fr Bill Barbee, Nancy Bernardy, Mary Lou Botelho, Lucy Boldin, Laura Booke, Luisa Borntraeger, Dick Brandt, Ch Warren Bridgeman, Fred Brown, Kim Brown, Guy Brown, Amy Carden, Patty Carden, Ursula Cappel, Laura Cobb, Fr Dave Cottrill, Fr Jeremiah Day, Dr Jean David, Patricia Dobson, Jennifer Ducko, Sister Donna Martha OHS, Dr Frank Edwards, Dr Randy Fellman, Barbara Field, Fr Reece Friedman, Terri Goeltz, Bill Gormley, Dr Sue Greenfeld, Herbert Greenwell, Veronika Greenwell, Lezlie Harding, Ethel Hatcher, Wayne Heise, Robbin Hobbins, General Tom Hobbins, Melly Hodges, BGen Bill Hodges, Ch (Col) Jim Hoke, Chris Humphreys, Dan Humphreys, Jan Humphreys, Jay Humphreys, Jim Humphreys, John W Humphreys, Kayla Humphreys, Morgen Humphreys, Scott Humphreys, Taylor Humphreys, Tommy Humphreys, Mike Hunt, Arlene Hurt, Pat Johnson, Kristi Jones, Christel Kasper, Pat Kette, Bobbie King, Nina King, Peggy Kirk, Ch Dennis Krumlauf, Chris Kuhn, Doris Leister, Anita Lobo, Joan Lollier, Reggie Lopez, Sheila Macharyas, Beth Mack, Gert Masbaum, Fr Clement Marcantonio, Elisa Martin, Gerry Martin, Jim Martin, Michelle MacCracken, Kevin McCarthy, Roman Michel, Karen Miller, Fr Eric Mills, Ch Paula Morton, Joy Morgen, Jerry Moses, Sue Mouser, Steve Myers, Ruth Nelson, Mandy Nethercott, Fr Jeff Neuberger, Iris Perez, David Phillips, Doug Phillips, Eleanor Phillips, Merrill Phillips, Becky Rowe, Ulrike Rowe, Irmgard Schanne, Elke Stecher, Kurt Suender, Terry Swanson, Stew Stewman,
Dr Gordon Smith, Fr Wesley Smith, Ray Schultz, Ann Sinder, Charles Snyder, John Symons, Sister Therese OJN, Mickie Tyler, Padre Andrew Turner, Becky Wagner, Richard Wargel, Marlene Welch, George White, Dr Joe Whitely, Dr Skip Winters, Sue Wilber, George Zietkiewicz, and Jerome Zuniga.

For Alice Humphreys Funeral Arrangements, click here