Alice FIGUEIRA

FIGUEIRA, Alice
On Sunday, May 29, 2011, after more than six years of living with Alzheimer's Disease, Alice Figueira at last was able to leave it behind her, and set her spirit free, in the peaceful, loving presence of family members, and friend, Father Brendan McKeefry. She was born Alice Marie Foltz on Easter Sunday, March 27, 1932, to Merrill and Elizabeth Foltz, in Herrick, South Dakota, the sixth of seven children. The family moved to Winner, SD where Alice graduated from high school in 1950. After earning teaching credentials at the University of South Dakota at Vermillion, she became a grade school teacher. In 1956, she moved to Sacramento and taught at Our Lady of the Assumption School in Carmichael.
Alice married Barry Figueira in 1958. In Rancho Cordova, she was a busy, stay-at-home mom to Julie, Mike, Diane, and Betsy, often helping out at school and community events. She later worked as a Tupperware dealer and manager and in customer service at JC Penney Insurance and Nationwide Insurance. She also gave her time reading news articles for the visually impaired on Audio Vision.
Once retired, Alice continued volunteering. In Elk Grove, where she and Barry had moved to in 1997, she gave tours at Kaiser Hospital and was active at Good Shepherd Parish. She had a talent for making those around her feel welcome. It was Alice's outgoing nature, sense of humor, and warm personality that drew people to her. Even recently, her family, friends, and caregivers could always depend on her for a smile or the occasional raised eyebrow. Despite her challenges - or because of them - the real Alice continued to shine through.
In addition to her children, Alice is survived by sons-in-law Tim Lee (Julie) and Mike Lewis (Diane), grandchildren, Daniel, Matthew, Scott, and Jill, great-granddaughters, Gwendolyn and Cordelia, brothers Loren and LeRoy Foltz, numerous sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews, and dear friends. Alice was pre-deceased by Barry in 2006, and siblings Anita Leslie, and Don, Howard, and Dennis Foltz.
It has been said one of the hardest parts of Alzheimer's Disease is the very long goodbye. But it allowed Alice's children to realize how precious their time with her was, and grow closer to one another as adults, each appreciating and depending on the others for their strength and love. They would like to thank the kind caregivers and administration of The Meadows Atrium, for the big things and the little things, like picking flowers from the grounds for her room, and Sutter Hospice, for the special care they gave Alice in the final stage of the disease.
Vigil at Nicoletti, Culjis, & Herberger Funeral Home on 6/5/2011 at 3:00 pm, with funeral Mass and reception at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Elk Grove, on 6/6/2011 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any Alzheimer's charity, or Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Elk Grove.