Westborough – Alice Mae Tepper of Westborough passed away peacefully at Beaumont Nursing Home Thursday, March 13, 2014, following a 13-year long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.
The daughter of Roy and Mamie Claire Griffis, she was born December 2, 1936 in Plant City, Fla., where she lived and worked following school. She was a popular and active member of many her local high school clubs and programs, including serving as a majorette for four years.
Following local work for a number of years, she moved to Pensacola, Fla., where she met and married James, her husband of 46 years. Moving with him to military assignments, she settled with the family in Northampton in 1971, where they lived for six years before moving to Westborough.
In addition to her husband James, Alice is survived by her son, Chuck, his wife LizAnn, and granddaughters Samantha, Hannah, and Riley Mae of Stroudsburg, Penn., and son Steve, his wife Michele and grandsons Jack and James of Shrewsbury. She is also survived by her brother, Wilmer (Jiggs) and his wife Leslie; two nephews, Chris and Matt; and a niece, Gina and their families of Plant City and Tampa, Fla. She was predeceased by her mother and father, Mamie Claire and Roy, and her brother, Oland.
Alice was active in many community activities with her churches, Westside Baptist while in Florida and Westborough Congregational locally, with both the center of her attention. She served on many committees, including the Board of Deacons, and faithfully conducted weekly bible sessions at area nursing homes and state hospital facilities for over 25 years. She was very active on the church's outreach and visitation committee and frequently provided comfort and relief for individuals and families in need.
Alice most cherished children?looking forward eagerly to having and caring for grandchildren. She planned and prepared for them, but unfortunately only had a couple of years to enjoy this stage of life as her disease took over and her activities were limited. She was an energetic family nurturer who could always be seen in the kitchen at holiday and family gatherings assuring that things were right for the guests.
An avid gardener and housekeeper, Alice was an even more energetic yard sale buff who thoroughly enjoyed travelling the circuit on Saturdays looking for rare finds and treasures.
She was fond of the quiet and peace afforded at the family vacation location in Vermont, where she could drift off into the woods or sit by the stream and study her bible and meditate. This brought her much comfort and relief.
Alice's journey with Alzheimer's began in the early 2000s and she quickly progressed to needing full time attention and care. She entered assisted living in 2006 and moved to three facilities, ending up close to home at Beaumont of Westborough, where she has had fantastic care over the last five years. Great help and assistance has been provided over the years by the Alzheimer's Association of MA.
Her funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 18, at 11 a.m., in the Congregational Church of Westborough, West Main Street. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery.
Calling hours are Monday, March 17, from 4 – 8 p.m., at the Rand-Harper-Pickering Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough.
Contributions in Alice's name can be made to the Alzheimer's Association at MA/NH Alzheimer's Assn., 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472.
