Alice Cecile Monahan, 1935 -2003

Alice Cecile Monahan was born on Sept. 19, 1935 in the family farmhouse south of Lafleshe, Sask. She was the second child of six children born to Rene and Margaret Desanghere.

As Alice grew up, she became a classic tomboy who much preferred doing the outdoor chores and working with machinery. She loved to run outdoors (barefoot, of course), play ball and chase prairie gophers with her older sister Doreen and younger brother George.

When it came time to leave home, Alice decided to be a hairdresser, a trade she worked at for 20 years. In 1956, while working in Calgary, Alice met Roger Monahan on a blind date arranged by some mutual friends. There must have been an instant attraction as they were married on June 15, 1957. Shortly after the wedding, the young couple moved to Edmonton where their first two children, Debbie and Patrick, were born. Shortly after Patrick was born, the couple moved to Cold Lake, Alta., then to Fairview, Alta. in 1963.

During their 13-year stay in Fairview, Dana and Paula were born. In 1976, Alice and Roger moved to High Prairie where they operated the Red Rooster Convenience Store. Here, Alice changed careers and became a store manager.

After 15 years in High Prairie, Alice and Roger moved to Kelowna where they semi-retired. They were on the move again in 1994 when they moved to Lac la Biche. After moving here, Alice helped out at OK Ford and the couple built their dream home at Beaver Lake, where Alice worked tirelessly in her yard, which she loved.

Throughout her life, Alice enjoyed being around people and always had a zest for life. Alice loved to start a good water fight. She loved curling, golfing, sewing, gardening and canning, and playing cards. Her greatest pleasure was being with her grandchildren. When she was with them, her eyes sparkled and she always had a smile. Her pride in her grandchildren's accomplishments was well known. She would brag to anyone who would listen and kept a brag-book of those accomplishments. She had a gift of making people feel special when she spoke to them. Alice always believed in being a part of the community she lived in. She volunteered for many committees in whatever community she lived in and gave tirelessly of her time.

Alice passed away on Tuesday, June 24 at the age of 67 years after a year-long battle with cancer. Alice leaves to mourn: her loving husband of 46 years, Roger; daughter Debbie and husband Garand Jones, grandson Landon and granddaughter Devyn; son Patrick and wife Tammy, and granddaughters Chelsey and Alycia and grandson Justin; daughter Dana; daughter Paula and husband Bill Cowell, granddaughter Billie and grandson Ross; and her special dog Coco. Also left to mourn are her sisters Doreen, Ces, Irene, Blanche and their families.

Alice will always be remembered for her unselfishness, her sympathy and empathy for others, her willingness to always lend a hand, and her love for her family.

The funeral for Alice was held on June 27 at 2 p.m. at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Lac la Biche with Father James McHugh officiating. Pallbearers were Garand Jones, Dennis Basarab, Curtis Noel, Garry Pysyk, Bill Cowell and Landon Jones.