Alice R. Conlon

ELIOT, Maine — Alice Rachael Conlon, 79, of Baran Place, died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

She is survived by her son, John P Conlon Jr. and his wife, Donna, of New Jersey; daughters, Claire White and her partner, William Gorman, of Sanford, Maine, Patricia Pelletier of Dover, N.H., Julie Conlon and her partner, Bob Rutherford, of Kittery, Maine, Jeanne McGready and her husband, Charles, of Berwick, Maine, and Mary and her husband, Seamus McDevitt, of Eliot, Maine; grandchildren, Kenneth, Stephen J. and Julie R. McGee, Johnna K. White, Karen A. Pelletier, Daniel R. Chapman, Christopher J. Chapman, Kevin J. Pelletier, Shaun W. Stockford, and Jeremy, Adrianna, Jeanne and Carol Quinn; great-grandchildren, Kasey Whitman, Corey McGee, Alexander Woodman, Camden Pacquin, Zoe' A. McGee, Kelsey Rose McGee, Christopher J. Estes, and Gage Anderson; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Alice was predeceased by her loving husband, John, her exceptionally loving youngest daughter, Andrea J. Conlon (Andy) and her dear friend of many years Marion Baker of Mansfield Mass.

WE REMEMBER: Born in Brookline, Mass., on Dec. 5, 1927, she was one of seven children to John E. and Rose Eleanor (Sullivan) Lynch.

She was raised in Brookline, Mass., and attended local schools, graduating from Brookline High School.

Alice met her loving husband, John (Jack) Conlon Sr., while they were both employed at St. Clair's Restaurant on Coolidge Corner in Brookline. They married in 1951 and shared 48 years of marriage together.

Following marriage they lived for a time in Brookline and Dorchester, Mass. After that they lived in several duty stations while John served his country as a member of the United States Navy, including time spent in Far Rock Away, Long Island, N.Y., where they continued to raise their family. They also spent time in Charleston, S.C., before moving to Portsmouth. John was stationed at Portsmouth Naval Hospital from 1962 to 1969, when they then moved to Kittery,Maine.

During their time in Kittery, they began a lifelong dedication to serving customers in a number of restaurants and take-out stores throughout the area. Alice served customers for over 20 years at Alice's Kitchen in Wallingford Square in Kittery. They also operated Andy's Take Out on the Kittery Traffic Circle, two restaurants in Rye and Rye Beach and one on the Berwick/ South Berwick town line. Their many years as restaurateurs also introduced their children to a good work ethic as they all took an active part in the family businesses.

Alice enjoyed singing and dancing and her signature whistling could often be heard throughout the restaurants. Her greatest pastime was swimming and enjoying the beach. As a lifeguard and swimming instructor in Portsmouth for many years she touched the lives of many young people that she taught to swim. She could often be found at her favorite place on Jenness Beach in Rye sun bathing as often as she could.

Following their retirement, she and John enjoyed many trips throughout New England and the Seacoast; beach destinations were of particular enjoyment.

Alice's greatest joy was unquestionably her family. She enjoyed a close relationship with each of her children and enjoyed watching her grand and great-grandchildren grow.

SERVICES: Friends may visit with Alice's family from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at the J.S Pelkey Funeral Home, 125 Old Post Road, Kittery, Maine. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday at her church, St. Raphael Catholic Parish on Whipple Road in Kittery. Online condolences may be made at jspelkeyfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to: Integricare Inc DBA Portsmouth, Derry, Salem, Home Health and Hospice Services, 95 Brewery Lane, Unit # 11, Portsmouth, NH 03801. Alice's care has been entrusted to the J.S. Pelkey Funeral Home of Kittery.