Alice Birzetis

1931 - 2017

Alice Katharine (McCrory) Birzetis, age 85, passed away July 17, 2017 after prolonged medical complications. A Naperville resident for 63 years, she was born September 18, 1931 in Cedar Rapids, IA. The daughter of Presbyterian minister Rev. W. Greer McCrory, Alice graduated Chicago Christian High School in 1949. She met her late husband Lawrence "Larry" Birzetis through mutual friends and married November 25, 1950. They bought their first house on Columbia St. Naperville in 1954. There, they lived most of their 53 years of marriage. Alice was a devoted charter member of Knox Presbyterian Church (Naperville, IL) for 57 years. She was also involved in the Civil War re-enactment group, Chicago Light Artillery, for nearly 40 years. Alice was a beacon to all family and friends, just like the lighthouses she collected. She watched over everyone through prayer and correspondence. She greeted all visitors into her home with unconditional love and hospitality. Examples of her loving personality include; remembering everyone's birthday and sending cards with personalized letters, buying extra Christmas gifts just in case she hosted an unexpected visitor, and setting up a gigantic Thanksgiving table that stretched from room to room in their welcoming home. Alice is preceded in death by: Her husband, Lawrence "Larry" Birzetis; her father, Rev. William Greer McCrory; her mother, Katherine "Kittie" Craig Brown McCrory; her brothers; Greer (Dorothy), Rev. Albert (Rachel), and Charles (Bunny); and, her grandson, Lawrence Michael "Butch" Kuhnhofer. Alice was a caring mother. Survived by: Three sons; Lawrence Jr. "Butch" (Irene), Michael "Mickey" (Anne), William "Bill". Daughter Katharine "Kittie" Birzetis Sumner (Paul). A loving grandmother to Susan "Sue" Kuhnhofer Krueger (Park), Elizabeth "Ea" Birzetis, James "Jim" Ward, Michael "Mike" Ward, Jamie Sumner Rocholl (Josh), Ashley Sumner Wright (Justin), and Kelsi Sumner. An amazing Gummy Bear to: Alyssa Birzetis; and, Cole, Julia, and Kayla Rocholl. Also, survived by numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends; whom she absolutely adored. A memorial celebration will be held August 19, 2017, 10:00 am, at Knox Presbyterian Church [1105 Catalpa Ln. Naperville, IL 60540]. In lieu of flowers, prayers and / or donations to Knox Presbyterian Church.