Alice M. Derylo

Alice M. Derylo was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister who's relationships to those she loved helped her to become stronger and to encourage others. Her strength and optimism was displayed by her devotion to St. Jude, the saint of the impossible. Always a lady, Alice served as an example of commitment to her family, her faith, and her work. She took careful note of current events, maintaining strong political opinions and sharing what she had learned from her own experiences. She was loyal to her many family members and friends, showing love, faith, and joy whenever she could.

Born on December 17, 1925, Alice Monna Jurney joined the already bustling household of James C. and Anna (Alexander) Jurney. The fifth in a family that would grow to include eight children, Alice learned quickly that sharing and pitching in was a necessary and positive part of life. Her parents worked hard to provide for their large family. Her father was a truck driver and delivered ice, milk, and newspapers to area homes. Anna managed the home and often rode along on her husband's routes. Most of Alice's childhood memories were from the lean years of the Great Depression, the scarcity of food at the supper table and care packages arriving from an aunt in North Carolina. Even hot dogs were limited, each person being allowed to eat only one. The sweet innocence of childhood kept Alice from realizing just how poor the family was, but she knew enough to determine that when she grew up she was going to eat as many hot dogs as she wanted.

The Jurney home in Newman, Illinois, held many priceless memories for Alice. Not only was it her birthplace, but it was also the site of many years of love and good times. Nicknamed "The Big House" because of its enormous rooms, the house held infinite possibilities for Alice's imagination. There was a dumbwaiter, a small elevator originally used to transfer food from one floor of the house to another, which became a magical transport for Alice. The basement was large enough to serve as a roller rink and their father, James, built a merry-go-round in the backyard, serving as a play area for all the neighborhood kids as well as the Jurney clan. Technological advances were making the world smaller everyday and the family enjoyed some of the benefits, such as getting their first phone, one with a crank on the side, when Alice was ten years old. They also gathered around the radio listening to shows like Amos and Andy and Jack Benny.

Alice was something of a tomboy, making for great fun, and was an excellent softball player. She attended the local elementary school in Newman. Grade school was challenging to her, but once she entered Newman High School, she excelled, especially in English. In December of Alice's sophomore year, the Japanese attacked the U.S. Naval Base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Alice saw numerous friends, family members, and neighbors leave to go to war, some never to return. Growing up, Alice had learned how to make do with what she had, so when the country began rationing gas, food, and clothing, she knew how to manage. There were shortages of all kinds and back on the home front, communities collected rubber and tin to help manufacture the supplies that loved ones overseas needed so desperately. Women took over jobs that had traditionally belonged to men and virtually everyone lost someone they knew in the conflict. The experiences Alice had during those difficult four years impacted her forever.

Alice stayed at Newman High through the tenth grade. Two of Alice's older sisters had moved to Grand Rapids and Alice made frequent visits. On one of these trips, she met a young man whom she fell in love with. This prompted her to join her sisters, and she moved in with her sister Vivian on Broadway Street NW. The young man didn't stay in the picture for long, but the move to Grand Rapids brought other positive things into Alice's life. She began attending Union High School and made two wonderful friends. The three of them were inseparable. They talked endlessly, frequented the movie theatre, and endured personal tragedies together. They remained friends for the rest of their lives.

While in high school, Alice earned her keep by scooping hard ice cream at Booth Dairy. Alice later worked in a local factory, as did many other women during the war years. She was able to maintain her schoolwork, her job, and her friends. Alice graduated from Union with the class of 1944. The following year, she celebrated with the rest of the nation and the world as the war in Europe and Japan finally ended.

Alice later got a job at McInerny Spring and Wire in Grand Rapids. A gentleman worked there named Stanley J. "Stash" Derylo. They expressed a mutual interest and began to date. The couple fell in love and was married on July 23, 1949, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. They adored each other and went on to share four beloved children and thirty-three years together.

Alice and Stanley honeymooned in Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula. When they returned home, they moved in with Stan's parents on Hogadone Street on the West Side. The couple experienced the joy of learning they were expecting a baby, quickly followed by the heartache of a stillbirth. Alice always carried the pain of infant Steven's death after that. The two stayed with Stan's parents for two years until they were able to purchase a home near Sacred Heart Church at 1131 Park Street SW. It was in this house that they again rejoiced at the expectation and arrival of children, building a loving home for Lorie, Denie, and Marty.

Alice and Stan worked hard and taught the children by their example about consistency, discipline, and loyalty. Alice worked for AMI, a jukebox manufacturing company later known as Rowe International. She stayed with that company for thirty-two years. The skills she developed at Rowe International allowed her to wire the entire house with a sound system, and she even built a few radios. Stan began working at AMI two years after Alice and also took up barbering on the side. He opened a barbershop in their basement and cut the hair of many friends, neighbors, and even the priests at Sacred Heart Church.

Faith was an important part of the Derylo home and all three children attended Sacred Heart Church and School for a time. Later, they went to West Catholic High School and all eventually graduated from Union High School. The family enjoyed vacationing together and often traveled back to Newman to visit Alice's relatives. Sometimes they stopped by Tuscola, Illinois, where Uncle Dean and Aunt Helen owned a bar. The river that ran next to the bar was a magical place for the children to play around. The Derylos also took advantage of the many peaceful, pristine locations in their own state, visiting Mackinac Island, Bills Lake, Traverse City, Olen Lake, Little Pine Island Lake, and the Soo Locks up north. Stan loved swimming with the kids at the beach, but Alice did not enjoy the effects of the sun on her fair skin, particularly the nickname "Freckles" which her brother-in-law Phillip gave her. Later, the family purchased a trailer on North Lake in Baldwin and spent many weekends together in the quiet north woods, enjoying the fresh air, the wildlife, and each other.

Alice was not one to be idle and enjoyed handicrafts. She made a beautiful ceramic nativity set, using her own jewelry to decorate the three kings. She also made refrigerator magnets with her sister Winnie, that they sold to friends and neighbors. She loved to play games, particularly Rummy, Setback, Poker, and enjoyed crossword puzzles. Some of her favorite activities were the ones she and her husband did together. She and Stanley owned some land off O'Brien Road where they grew their own vegetables. They loved being productive and took special pleasure in the flowers they tended, as well. They also loved to dance and the children delighted in watching them waltz or polka, cutting the rug to Big Band music, circling the floor in each other's arms, smiles wide and eyes sparkling. All too soon, however, the dancing would come to an end.

Stan was planning to continue working at Rowe until Alice became eligible for early retirement, but his plan would not come to fruition. In January of 1983, Stan suffered a massive stroke. He passed away at the age of sixty-six. Alice was devastated. Two months later, Alice herself suffered a heart attack. Her family was there to support her and she recovered, much to their relief.

Two years later, Alice moved to 1706 Sibley NW. She took great solace in her family and cherished every grandchild. The grandkids loved "Grams" in return, and she doted on them as every good grandma does. She taught them several card games including poker, and played board games with them often. When the Detroit Lions were playing, Alice gathered the family around to watch. Christmas was a special time and Alice made quite an event out of it, baking many cookies, candies, and treats. She often involved all the kids and grandkids, enlisting them to make ornaments, as well.

Alice's health slowly declined and she suffered with respiratory problems for years. She eventually became totally dependent on her children and grandchildren, and they counted themselves privileged to be able to provide her with the care she needed. Alice died at her home on Sibley NW with her children and grandchildren at her side. She imparted wisdom and encouragement to all she met. Her words will continue to influence her family, leaving a legacy of faith, perseverance, and love.

"Always give attention and encouragement to those who are in doubt of their own ability. Don't wait to be asked to share love and knowledge, give of it freely. Your reward will be great. Make education, learning and love priorities in your life always.

Alice passed away on Thursday, December 9, 2004. Her husband, Stanley, as well as her sisters, Carrie, Helen, and Vivian, preceded her in death. Alice's family includes her children, Loretta (Mark) Steigmeyer, Denise Shepherd, and Martin (Tamra) Derylo; her grandchildren, Jennifer Lindgren, Kelly Lindgren, James C. Lindgren, Leslie (Josh) Sorenson, Tara Smith, Tracy Derylo and Samantha Derylo; her great grandchildren, Devin McKinney, Corey Lindgren, and Hailey Lindgren; her three sisters, Winifred Black, Ethelmae Hale, Rose Gallion, and brother James Jurney.

Friends may spend time with Alice's family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW, Grand Rapids, on Saturday, December 11, from 7-9 p.m. and on Sunday, December 12, from 2-4 p.m. and from 7-9 p.m. The rosary and her Celebration of Life service will begin at the funeral home on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial and committal service will be celebrated at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church on Monday, December 13, at 11:00 a.m. The funeral procession will leave from the funeral home for the church on Monday morning at 10:40 a.m. Entombment will be in Resurrection Cemetery. Please visit Alice's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers, or make a memorial contribution to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.