Alice Louise (Ward) Campbell passed away peacefully at home on October 29th, 2021, just twelve days after the death of her beloved husband, Roland. The third child of Eugene and Dorothy (Page) Ward, she was born on April 6th, 1926, the much loved and greatly admired mother of Brenda O’Gara and Gene Campbell.

      She attended the Pelham City and Rhodes Schools in Pelham, graduated from Amherst High School in 1944, and attended Northampton Commercial College.  She worked at the University of Massachusetts for a short time before she and Roland began their family, and later in life, she worked at the Amherst Savings and Northampton Cooperative Banks.

     Alice and Roland grew up, experiencing a bond through family and church gatherings, and always maintaining a connection. Long walks on Pelham back roads, and swimming in the Orient Springs were favorite times. Following Roland’s honorable discharge from the Army, they became engaged on April 6th, 1946, and were married on June 8th, 1946. They celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary with their family on June 8th, 2021.

     Alice’s slice of heaven was the home that Roland and the family built on Campbell land in Pelham. Above all vacation spots, this would remain her favorite place.

     She was a creative and devoted mom, always involved in school and church functions, and ready to lend a capable, yet humble, hand. Her appreciation of the world around her was displayed in all of her hundreds of pieces of artwork, including paintings, baskets and quilts. She was never without a project!

     Alice loved the local church, and until its closure, supported it with suppers, craft fairs, and any fundraiser that would keep it open. In the 1980’s/90’s she resurrected the Sunday School, gathering interest and support from local families. She continued a town connection by holding basket classes for seniors.

     As she grew physically frail, Alice continued to admire every feather of the birds at the feeder, every petal of each flower in the garden, and every hue of a sunset. She shared stories of outdoor games and family gatherings, along with the magic of experiencing indoor plumbing and electricity. She often spoke of the awe that she experienced when she first flipped a light switch!

     Ever a bright, creative and adaptive woman, Alice gracefully shifted from kerosene lamps, outhouses, horses and wagons, coal cook stoves and wash tubs, to indoor plumbing, light bulbs, automobiles, electrical appliances, and eventually communicating via her iPad. One of her favorite stories was of the time when she was able to flip a switch to illuminate a room! She created a path of faith, knowledge, creativity, sensitivity, and general appreciation of life. Rest in peace, beautiful woman; we will love and admire you always!

     Alice was predeceased by her parents, siblings Donald, Jean, and Norman, and her son-in-law, Paul O’Gara. She will be forever missed by her children, Brenda O’Gara, and Gene (Rita) Campbell, her adoring grandchildren, Jonathan (Sarah) O’Gara, Abigail (Evan) Jobst, and Scott (Paige) Campbell, her sweet great grandson, Teddy Campbell, and her loving nieces and nephews.

     Alice and Roland have been blessed with loving caregivers who have become part of our family. Jean, Sherri, Kelly, Dora, Elida, Lucilia, Becca, Amber, Lori, Hidaya, Deb, Kathleen, we honor you!

     A memorial service will be held at 2:00 on Saturday, November 6th, at the Pelham Community Hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Pelham Community Hall Table and Chair Fund, ℅ Treasurer, 351 Amherst Road, Pelham, MA 01002, or to Cooley Dickinson Hospital VNA and Hospice, 168 Industrial Drive, Northampton, MA 01060. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com