Our mother, Alice, died on July 4, 2010, at the age of 84, with her family by her side. Although she was a private person, Al faced death bravely and with great dignity, and wouldn't mind her friends knowing that after a courageous and reflective fight, cancer finally took her. Even more than family, her late husband, Jerry, was the love of her life. They were a team, in work and in marriage. While some days were lonely after his death in 1996, her independent spirit and her supportive and caring family helped her fill the remaining years of her life with great joy and happiness in the home she loved. Alice absolutely loved having her family around her, especially at Jill's home in North Carolina. She had a great sense of humor and laughed easily, often at herself. Quite simply, Al loved life, and lived it with elegance and grace. And we, more than words can say, loved her, and the best part is - she knew it.

As a young woman, Al worked in the accounting department of Firestone Tire & Rubber, and later in life taught Conway diet classes. She volunteered for many years at Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital.

During her life, Al married Jerry Whitman and helped him build a successful business, raised two wonderful daughters, created and warmly cared for a home, made countless friends, practiced her Catholic faith, read extensively, traveled widely, and showered love on an ever-growing family.

Al was very proud of that family, truly enjoyed their company, and counseled and consoled them in so many ways. Allow us to introduce the family she loved so deeply: her children, Diane and Neal (Gerstenschlager), Jill and Jeff (Kelly); her grandchildren, David, Maria, Jon, Ivette, Josh, Cynthia, Marrin, Michael, Whitney and Greg; and her great grandchildren, Katelyn, Emily, Molly, Lucy, Hunter, Tyler, Riley, Mia, Ben, Griffin, Mallory, and Maxx.

In addition to the family she created, Al would want to acknowledge the family from which she came and from which she gained the strength and stability to sustain her throughout her life: her parents, Emma and Marty Marrin; her brothers and sisters, Kate (Bob), Ger (Steve), Jim, and Tom (Ruth); her nieces and nephews, Debbie (Glen), Denise (Scott), Marty (Kathy), Monique (Rick) and Megan; and her great nieces and nephews, Kevin, Beth, Nate, Kelli, Rachel, Alexis, and Ell

Jerry's family was also a major part of Al's life: Jerry's mother, Emma Whitman; his brothers and sisters, Doris (Bill), Joanne (Ed), Jay (Jean), Ken (Betty); and his many nieces and nephews.

To celebrate and remember Al's life, please join her family at calling hours on Friday, July 9, 2010, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, at Hilliard-Rospert Funeral Home. Al loved God all her life, so there will be a funeral mass at Sacred Heart Church on Saturday, July 10, 2010, at 9:30 AM, and then on to Woodlawn Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Meals-on-Wheels, 215 High Street, Wadsworth, Ohio 44281, (330-335-6156); and to Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625, (704-761-2400).