GLOUCESTER - Alice Marie (Brown) Hall Brayman, 100, passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2014.
Born in Gloucester on August 2, 1914, she was the daughter of the late Alymer and Maude (Eason) Brown.
Alice shared 45 years of marriage with her first husband, Ralph Hall, until his death in 1978. Together they raised three wonderful children, Myra, Allen and Billy. Aside from her children, the Community Church of East Gloucester played a central role in Alice’s life. She was church treasurer for twenty years and also a Sunday school teacher. Alice was a member of the Gleaners, a church group for women that helped organize church suppers and fairs.
Following the death of her second husband, Eliot Brayman, just one short year after their marriage, Alice’s second life began. She became an enthusiastic volunteer at the Rose Baker Senior Center, working every day they were open, making coffee and setting up tables for lunch or Bingo. She had a quick mind and keen memory; Bridge was her favorite card game.
During this period she also volunteered at Port O Call, a local non-profit craft shop featuring sewing, knitting and other crafts. Alice became known as the "Bunny Lady" for the hand made bunnies she knit, which were a popular gift for newborns. She also made Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. She continued making her crafts until her eyesight began to fail.
In her early 90's Alice had a stroke that left her paralyzed on one side and wheelchair bound. In spite of her physical problems she kept her easy going nature and friendly personality. She started going to Day by Day, an adult care center four days a week. A special friend at Day by Day was Colleen Bullard, the activities director. Colleen was often by Alice's side and she organized her 100th birthday party.
Many home health aides were special to Alice. Noreen Mallon and Billy Jo Brosnan cared for her for many years and Lucille Costa for several years would visit twice a week early in the morning to get her ready for whatever the day held. They were all like family members to her and she loved them very much.
Alice lived a long and fulfilled life. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Alice leaves her children, Myra Hall, Allen, husband of Rose Hall and William Hall, husband of Virginia Kerr; grandchildren, Mark Tolman, partner of Candy Travers, James Tolman, Elizabeth, wife of Andrew Powers, Thomas Hall, Michaela, wife of Robert Huston and Raymond, husband of Armida Hall; great-grandchildren, Benny Tolman, Joseph Tolman, Kyle Powers, Jack Powers, Christopher Huston, Kevin Huston, Kurt Hall and Lelani Alyssa Hall.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 1st at the Community Church of East Gloucester at 2 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Day by Day Adult Care, Inc., 4 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.