Alice Saunders

1929 - 2018

Alice Eileen Saunders (nee Laurie), beloved wife of the late Gordon Saunders, passed away peacefully at the age of 88 in Taber on Monday, May 14, 2018, on her late husband’s birthday.

Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taber Stake Centre, 4709 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Friday, June 1, 2018 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. and at the church prior to the funeral service on Saturday, June 2, 2018 between 10:00 A.M. and 10:40 A.M.

The Funeral Service was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taber Stake Centre, 4709 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. Burial followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.

Alice is survived by her children Thomas (Wendy) Saunders of Victoria, British Columbia, Marilynne (David) MacDonald of Calgary, Michael (April) Saunders of Taber, Cynthia Saunders of High River, Allyson (David) Cichy of Calgary, Gregory (Karina) Saunders of Highland, Utah, Ruthanne (Ken) Holst of Taber and by thirty grandchildren and seventy one great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Pauline Laurie, Bev Laurie, Arlie Laurie, Shirley Andrews, Jeri Saunders and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Gordon Stanley Saunders, her son Gordon William James Saunders, her parents James and Jessie (nee MacPherson) Laurie and all her siblings.

Alice was born on Dec. 29, 1929 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, the sixth of nine children born to Jessie and James Laurie. She spent her early years in Ladner, British Columbia. At the age of seventeen she moved to Taber and resided there until her passing. She met Gordon Saunders in Taber and they were married on June 16, 1948. They were blessed with eight children.

Alice was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served with love and faith in various Church callings over the years. Alice and Gordon served a Church mission in Egypt in 1993. After Gordon passed away, Alice served another Church mission in 2007 at the Family History Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Alice was a hard worker whose hands were never idle. She mastered everything she set her mind to do. She was an accomplished markswoman, cook and seamstress. When she wasn’t sewing beautiful wedding, bridesmaid or graduation dresses she loved to do any new craft. She created many wonderful quilts, handmade cards, cross stitches, porcelain dolls and fur teddy bears. Her kitchen was always filled with numerous baked goods, including her famous butterhorns. She took great joy in giving of what she had to others, including her wisdom and her listening ear. Alice had the gift of making everyone she met feel special.

Alice will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered for her many talents, her kind and caring heart and for her love of serving others.

If desired, memorial tributes in Alice’s name may be made directly to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, 111 West Campus Place NW, Calgary, Alberta T3B 2R6 www.rmhcsca.org.

The Saunders family would like to thank all the staff at the Good Samaritan Linden View Facility for their kind and loving care of Alice.