Alice Sarah Douglass

Alice (Paradis) Douglass died peacefully at Douglas Manor on Thursday, June 18, 2009. She was 101 years young. Born February 23, 1908 in Grand Ligne in Quebec, Canada where she spent an active and memorable childhood which she recalled fondly and vividly until her final days. Attending school at Feller Institute, working in the family store handing out the mail, swimming in the Richelieu River and skating there in the winter were happy memories. The latter skill she unsuccessfully attempted to teach to her grandchildren. Alice moved to Fitchburg, MA in 1924 with her parents, Dosithe and Clara (Peron) Paradis, her brothers Adolph " Bob" and Gordon, and her sisters Isabel and Ida. She attended high school in Fitchburg, MA and Lowell MA where she graduated in 1928. After graduation Alice moved to Manchester, CT where she was employed at Cheney Bros. Woolen Mills. Through a friend at Cheney Bros. she met George Thomas Douglass. They were married August 5, 1933 in Millerton, NY, and celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1983 at the Windham Center Church. By 1934, Alice and George had moved to Norwich, CT where their three children were born: daughter Norma and twin sons Spencer and Wayne. For a few years, the family lived in Leffingwell (a small village in Bozrah) where Alice was active in the Baptist Church. In 1943 the family moved to Lovers Lane in Windham Center. Alice joined the First Congregational Church and was an active and involved member for the next 60 years. She was a Sunday School teacher, Superintendent of Sunday School, and at one time or another, served on virtually every committee in the church. She often chauffeured others to church and community activities. Alice also volunteered in school activities. When her children were teenagers, she organized dances at the Windham Center School. She also belonged to the Windham Home Economics Group and was active in the local, district and state Parent Teachers Association. During the 1950's, Alice was employed as a clincher at Electro Motive in Willimantic. Alice was a woman of many talents and interests. She was a great cook, especially renowned for her desserts. She was a proficient pianist who enjoyed classical music. Alice loved to travel to visit relatives and friends in Canada, New England and along the entire east coast. Alice was a proponent of exercise and proper nutrition for many, many years; she incorporated these things into her life long before they became widely pursued. Her devout faith was a driving force throughout her life and we know that a grand celebration and reunion is taking place in Heaven. Alice was preceded in death in 1990 by George T. Douglass, her husband of 56 years, her grandson Scott Douglass and granddaughter, Gretchen Douglass. She is survived by her children Norma Douglass Ladd of South Windham, CT, Spencer of Ponce Inlet, Florida and Wayne of Elma, Washington, as well as 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. The family would like to thank the staff at Douglas Manor for their compassionate care and warmth during her stay there. The family requests that in lieu of cards and flowers donations be made to Windham Center Congregational Church, P. O. box 102, Windham, CT 06280. Her funeral service will be held Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Windham, Windham Center. Burial will follow in the Windham Center Cemetery. There are no calling hours. Arrangements are through the Potter Funeral Home, Willimantic. Please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com for online memorial guest book.