December 3 1946 July 14 2022
ALICE F. REED, 75, ROYAL OAK, MICH. Alice F. Reed, 75, passed peacefully on July 14, 2022, knowing the love of her family and friends. For more than five years – ever the optimist – Alice sought to hold back the tide on metastatic breast cancer, while always seeking to lift the spirits of those around her. Alice was born on Dec. 3, 1946 in Detroit, Mich., to Irene Michalski Reed and William Thomas Reed, both of whom predeceased her. She was proud to have attended St. Mary Catholic School for her elementary through high school education and graduated in the Class of 1964. She made many lifelong friends at St Mary’s. She was active in a variety of school activities, including school plays and cheerleading, where her enthusiasm was able to shine. It was her wish to have her funeral service at her home church. During her adult life, Alice travelled the world as a certified nanny, baby nurse, Montessori pre-school teacher, HEAD Start teacher’s assistant and elder caregiver. After years of working in California, New Mexico and Florida, and travelling internationally as a nanny, Alice returned to Michigan as a nanny, and to be closer to her mother in her later years. Alice later retired and moved into the Royal Oak Manor Co-Op apartments where she recounted many stories of growing up just blocks away from her apartment. She was home and she was happy. In her apartment she was surrounded by many photos and mementos capturing the richness of her life and all the people and places she loved. She also loved Royal Oak where she liked to keep her window open at night so she could feel the breeze and hear people having fun in the city. She was energized by life whether she was in the middle of it all or taking it in from afar. When asked how she wanted to be remembered, Alice summed up her life as being one of service. She believed in the equality of all human beings and sought to be one with God through meditation of the Holy Name and in performing acts of service and charity. For her, there was no higher calling than to serve others. As a nanny, baby nurse and teacher, Alice cared for many children and was committed to helping each child grow into their best life. Using the Montessori Method, she taught children to experience life and to never fear failure, but to use it as an opportunity to grow. Alice was one of 10 children in her family, several of whom survive: Sue Ann George, Daniel (Barbara) Reed, Catherine Reed, Mary Reed, Thomas Reed and Jerry Reed. She was predeceased by her parents and siblings Margaret Sullivan, Leo Reed and Robert Reed. Alice is further survived by her son Michael Thomas, whom she loved most and always; several nieces and nephews, each of whom held a special place in Alice’s heart, including: Jennifer George, Matt George, Hayes Reed, Mona Czeszewski, David Sullivan, Laura Ridenour, Reina Reed and Anthony Reed. Special appreciation to brother Dan Reed whose guiding hand and generosity assisted Alice in the most critical times of her life; Dr. Mumtaz George, M.D., trusted physician and friend; Gwen Watkins, a loving friend who uplifted Alice with her strong faith and positive attitude; and Bonnie Lake, her kind and compassionate caregiver. Dear friends also included Rose Gilbert, Rose Valdez, Sharon Cook, Carol Atsave and Cheryl Kilborn. Alice believed that loved ones who had passed before her could, in fact, hear her prayers and whenever she fondly remembered them, they could feel her love and delighted in her memories of them. As those who love Alice Reed think of her now – and in the days and years ahead – she would want each person to recount a memory or simply think of her. Family and friends can take comfort in knowing that Alice will hear their thoughts and rejoice in their memories. And just as she loved to listen to the revelers in the streets of Royal Oak, her window to heaven will be open and she will be listening and delighting in their joy. She will feel their love and in return, her spirit will provide comfort to family and friends. Alice is resting in eternal peace and surrounded in everlasting love. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors. Visitation will be held at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W. 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak 48067 on Friday, July 22, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church of Royal Oak, 730 S. Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak, MI 48067 on Saturday, July 23 at 10 a.m. with visitation at the church beginning at 9:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 25800 W. 10 Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48033. Those seeking to donate in memory of Alice are invited to contribute to Doctors Without Borders at www.doctorswithoutborders.org. Share a memory at www.SullivanFuneralDirectors.com.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Alice Reed December 3 1946 July 14 2022.
Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors
Death notice for the town of: Royal Oak, state: Michigan