Angelika Irving

1921 - 2016

Angelika E. Irving

East Lansing

Angelika Elisabeth Irving (Alice), of East Lansing MI, passed away peacefully April 18, 2016, at the age of 95.  She was born in 1921 in Bloemendaal, the Netherlands, to Louis Carl Max and Karoline Anspach.  During and after World War II, she was employed as a translator by the French and American military.  During this time she met an American soldier - Robert Irving - and they married in 1952 in West Germany.  After leaving Europe, they lived briefly in Macon, Georgia and then Mt. Clemens, Michigan.  Their long-time home was Romeo, Michigan where they raised their daughter, Catherine.  After retiring, the Irvings moved to Mt. Vernon, Washington, and then to Charlevoix, Michigan.  They traveled extensively throughout the United States and returned to Europe several times.

Alice was an avid and knowledgeable gardener, with a great love for the natural world.  She was active in garden clubs wherever she lived, and volunteered for numerous public beautification projects.  Alice was a skilled seamstress who made all her own clothes, enjoyed many kinds of needlework, and was a voracious reader.  She loved animals, particularly dogs.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Paul, and her husband.  She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Catherine and Wayne Whitman, and granddaughter Laura, all of Holt, Michigan.

The family wishes to thank the staff of The Willows at East Lansing and Compassus Hospice for their gentle, compassionate care for Alice and kindness to her family.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.  Arrangements are being handled by Wetherby Funeral Home.