Alice Dolores Grass (nee Carron) was born on November 3, 1916 in Brickey's, Missouri. She was the eighth child of Theodore and Theresa Carron, and for the first years of her life, her family lived in a house overlooking the Mississippi. She often recalled the beauty of the river and woods, as well as the little one-room schoolhouse along the railroad tracks.

When she was about nine, the family moved to a farm in Bloomsdale which is still in the family. Here, she enjoyed the life of a country girl and never outgrew her love of long walks, the beauty of nature, and the creativity of a free-spirit. She attended St. Philomina School in Bloomsdale, Valle High in Ste. Genevieve, and eventually SEMO, fondly called "Cape," in Cape Girardeau. After graduation, she taught first grade in Ste. Genevieve until she married Ray Grass (a former classmate at Valle) in 1945.

They moved to St. Louis where he went to aviation school and she taught kindergarten in Wellston. She became a stay-at-home mom when her daughters were born, devoting her creativity to family life. Later, she substituted in the Ritenour School District, soon becoming a favorite of the neighborhood children. For years she kept in touch with some of her former students, not only from Ritenour, but from Ste. Genevieve and Wellston, as well.

Alice loved everyone - her family, friends and people she met along the way. She enjoyed reading, sewing, taking walks, visiting parks, working word puzzles, and she prayed the rosary right up to the end.

She appreciated her parish and was a daily communicant for many years. She was a member of the Altar Society (and washed and ironed many an alb) and participated in discussion groups, as well as other parish activities.

If you were to ask her, "What is your secret to aging gracefully?" she might have given this advice: be prayerful, enjoy good food, read, appreciate the outdoors, laugh, keep your mind active, do what seems natural.

She was always open to other's opinions, seldom passing judgement on anyone. As a result, she was loved by many and will be irreplaceable advisor and confidant.

All in all, many people were blessed by her long life, and although she will certainly be missed, she will continue to be close at heart.

Visitation Saturday, November 20, 9:00 AM until time of Mass 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Presentation Church 8860 Tudor Ave. St. Louis, Mo. 63114. Interment Resurrection Cemetery 6901 Mackenzie Rd. St. Louis, Mo. 63123.

In lieu of flowers Masses or donations to St. Vincent De Paul Society preferred.