Alice Erickson

ALICE JANE ERICKSON, age 74 , of Hinckley, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by the love of her family on Thursday, February 13, 2014. BORN: She was born October 3, 1939, the daughter of Merle and Florence (Kussman) Stillman.EARLY YEARS:Alice grew up in Winfield, IL and attended local schools. She graduated from West Chicago Community High School with the class of 1957.EDUCATION: Following high school, Alice studied at a local secretarial school as well as The Art Institute of Chicago before finding work with Commonwealth Edison. MARRIAGE: Alice met Harry while on vacation in California, on a blind date arranged by her sister Eva and brother-in-law George Winton. They were married six months later on December 29, 1961.RESIDENTIAL HISTORYThey began their new life in the "Navy fashion" by moving to Waukegan where Harry served as a Battalion Commander and Public Information Officer at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. Harry then was stationed on Adak, one of Aleutian Islands off of Alaska for a time before working for the NSA in Washington D.C. They moved to Hinckley in the spring of 1970. After Harry’s passing in 2006, Alice continued to make Hinckley her home. OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY:When the children were young, Alice began working for the local newspaper and then for the Hinckley Grain Company. Later, she joined Waubonsee Community College where she worked for over 20 years, first as an executive secretary and later the Aurora Campus Manager. MEMBERSHIPS: Alice was a faithful and longtime member, past trustee and co-ordinator of the hospitality committee at the Hinckley United Methodist Church. Alice was also a Master Gardner with many honors through the University of Illinois Extension in DeKalb County. LIFE NOTES: Like her husband, Alice embodied the values of responsibility, love of family, and servict to others. Through example and words of wisdom, Alice will always be remnembered for her powerful counsel for those around her when they needed it most.She had a special flair for imparting beauty all around her – from gardens to her Victorian-style home, to flower arranging and fashion – life was lovely around her. Alice was also the life of the party. A social person with many wonderful friends, she lit up the room with her energy, sense of humor, love of music, and zest for living.Alice was a capable person who could be counted on to get the job done. At work, she could be seen in a stylish suit (with great shoes to match , of course) and her clipboard in hand, efficiently and effectively meeting the objectives of the day.Finally, Alice possessed a great sense of adventure and optimsim. As an example, when others might have dreaded a two year assignment in a place with almost no sun and very little civilization, she described their assignment in the Aleutian Islands as an interesting and exciting experience. Over the yers, she also recalled the Aleutian Islands Navy tradition of tossing a scarf to the wind upon boarding the plane for departure. We think of her now, tossing a pretty scarf to the wind as she departs this world to embark upon the next.SURVIVORS: She survived by two children:Linnea Windel of Campton Hills, IL and Mark (Cindy) Erickson of North Aurora; Two beloved granddaughters:Karina Windel of Chicago, IL and Katje Windel of Campton Hills, IL;Two sisters:Lela (Kenneth) Havlik of Winfield, IL, Eva (George)Winton of La Fayette, GA Many nieces and nephews and friends across the countryside. PRECEDED:She is preceded in death by her parents, Merle and Florence Stillman, and her beloved husband Harry Erickson. VISITATION / FUNERAL Following cremation, a memorial service to celebrate her life will be held March 1, 2014, at noon, at the Hinckley United Methodist Church, 801 N. Sycamore St., Hinckley, IL. Lunch will be served at the church following the service.MEMORIAL In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in her name to benefit Hinckley United Methodist Church. Checks may be made to the "Alice Erickson Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com

Following cremation, a memorial service to celebrate her life will be held March 1, 2014, at noon, at the Hinckley United Methodist Church, 801 N. Sycamore St., Hinckley, IL