Alyce (Sarola) (Briese) MacDonald

Alyce’s life began March 19, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois.  She grew up in Chicago where she graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School.  After high school Alyce continued her education at The University of Arizona in Tuscan.  Alyce’s family would summer on Paw Paw Lake in Watervliet and eventually made Watervliet their home when her dad retired and owned Paw Paw Lake Motor Lodge.  In her free time Alyce enjoyed playing bridge, bowling, and playing the piano where she was given the nickname “kitten on the keys”.

Alyce’s greatest joy came from her family which includes four children Susan (Jeff) VanDam, Karen Conyers, Linda (Donald) Hughes, and Michael (Kim) Sarola, and lovingly known as GiGi by her four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Also part of her family, Nancy Laase who she met on the Super Chief train as she traveled from Chicago to Tuscon and would become a lifetime friend and Delta Gamma Sorority sister.

Alyce died April 30, 2019 in Greenville, North Carolina where she called home for more than 25 years.  Her husband Archie MacDonald and parents John and Frances Briese precede Alyce in death.  Alyce’s cremains will be buried Saturday, June 29 at 1:00 PM in Watervliet Cemetery with her grandmother.  Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet is assisting Alyce’s family with arrangements.  You may leave a message of comfort for Alyce’s family.

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