Alice Hayes Gorton

Alice Hayes Gorton died peacefully in the early morning hours of April 19, 2025, at Presbyterian Village in Austell, GA. She was surrounded by her two daughters and son, Nancy Dooley, Patricia Gorton, Martin Gorton, and her son-in-law, Michael Dooley. Alice was born in Utica, NY, on February 5, 1925, the daughter of the late Frederick and Leila Hayes. She was predeceased by her devoted and loving husband, William Gorton, who died on March 6, 2006, and to whom she was married for almost 55 years. She is survived by her seven children, Timothy Gorton (Joan) of Utica; Robert Gorton (Jane), of Parrish, FL; William Gorton, of Utica; J. Terrance Gorton (Lisa), of Rexburg, ID; Nancy Dooley (Michael), of Marietta, GA; Martin Gorton, of Utica; Patricia Gorton, of Brooklyn, NY; ten grandchildren: Justin (Irina) and Ryan (Cory) Gorton; Brandon (Danielle), Logan (Jillian), Megan and Melissa Gorton; Madison Alvarez (Alex) and Gillian Dooley; Carli Salas (Gustavo) and Nikki Gorton; ten great grandchildren: Lilyanne, Nikita, Jace, Leila Gorton; Kingsley Gorton; Cassian and Tezni Gorton; Maeve and Posie Gorton; and Seiya Salas; and many loving nieces and nephews. Alice was predeceased by her brothers, Frederick (Ann), Richard, Peter (Mary), and Michael Hayes; and her sisters, Sara Hayes Cunningham (Earl), and Carol Hayes, who died as a young child. Her father was in the National Guard in Alabama, and the family moved south to Atlanta. Alice and her family spent two years there and she graduated from Girls High School in 1943. She was enrolled at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia but when her uncle Edwin Hayes offered her an opportunity to work at New York Central in the accounting office, she moved back to Utica, attended Business School, and worked at NY Central for 10 years. A friend there introduced her to William Gorton (Bill) by inviting him to play bridge since they were both avid bridge players. Bill graduated from Syracuse University after serving in the Air Force. They married on May 30, 1951, and started their family soon after. They had four boys under the age of 3, including twins, and would say if you stopped by the house, you got a baby and a bottle. Family vacations were spent at Cedar Lake, where they built a camp, or camping at Eight Lake with the extended family. Our mother would insist on a lakefront site and we would move until we had one. The sand bar cocktail hours at four, with Manhattans and Gin and Tonics, were a staple activity. Her longstanding tradition of Saturday dinners with homemade specialties, included family and friends, with extra seats always available. Alice dreamed of being Amelia Earhart and got her pilot's license at 18. We believe this desire aligned with World War II, where additional pilots might have been needed, and she was willing and prepared. Alice was a woman of routines and started each day with a meticulously made bed, a cup of black coffee, the NY Times Crossword puzzle, and attending church. She ended her days with Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, and like her husband, would always be reading, usually a mystery. She served as a volunteer at Notre Dame schools where her seven children attended by leading Friday night Bingo, serving lunches, or as a chaperone on many field trips. She belonged to various bridge clubs, including couples and duplicate bridge. When she broke her hip at 93, her friends came to St. Luke's facility to play there, stating, "if Alice can't make it to bridge, the club will come to her." She was a past president and member of the Catholic Women's Club, serving women in the community with events, activities, and philanthropic endeavors. Known as the "slipcover lady" for her over sixty years in business, making slipcovers and drapes, beautifying homes and businesses. In her 70s, she secured her largest contract and made hundreds of pairs of drapes for a new wing of the Masonic Home. Alice would always be using her hands knitting sweaters, baby gifts, and Christmas stockings, or doing some crewel or needlepoint project. She traveled around the country to visit for graduations or when children and grandchildren were born: New Hampshire, Colorado, Virginia, Florida, Idaho, Alaska, Utah, Hawaii, and Georgia. She also traveled abroad to Ireland, France and Italy, where she saw Pope John Paul II. Alice turned 100 on February 5, 2025, and she celebrated her monumental birthday, themed "Alice in Hundred Land", surrounded by loved ones. She also received letters of celebration from NY and Georgia senators, the NYS Governor, a NY Congressman, and the Utica mayor. Her daughter, Patricia, wrote a book of short stories about her called "Lessons in Longevity", to describe her many secrets of living so vibrantly for over 100 years! Calling hours are Saturday, May 10, 9-11 AM at McGrath, Myslinski, Kowalczyk & Nunn Funeral Directors on 470 French Road, Utica. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated immediately following at 12:00 PM at Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish, Our Lady of Lourdes Campus. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Alice's name may be made to the Catholic Women's Club of Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish, Our Lady of Lourdes campus. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. 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