Alice Jane McCormick, 76, formerly of Doylestown and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, suffered a massive heart attack and passed away Friday, March 27, 2020 in her recently acquired condominium home in Longview, Washington. A private viewing prior to cremation is to be held Monday, March 30.
Mason Loika, 77, Alice’s domestic partner and co-conspirator in life, survives Ms. McCormick’s passing, along with a horde of students, nurses, organizers and teachers from the Aphasia Network who are devastated at her loss. Besides Mr. Loika, she is survived by sons Ed Goetz, 59, Park County, Colorado; and John Goetz, 54, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; daughters Elaine Krasousky, 52, Philadelphia; and Linda Goetz, 48, Philadelphia; as well as six grandchildren.
One of those grandchildren, Shelby Krasousky, was raised by Ms. McCormick. Ms. Krasousky and her son (Ms. McCormick’s great grandson), Vinny, reside in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
At a statuesque 6’3″ height, Ms. McCormick told me she made frequent after-school excursions to the ABC-TV Philadelphia studio to dance on the national broadcast of American Bandstand. Nevertheless, Ms. McCormick faced a bleak future after dropping out of John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls’ High School at the age of 15.
Ms. McCormick was born and raised in the Kensington section of Philadelphia, and gave birth to five children, rearing them in the beautiful Lawndale area. After 13 years of physical abuse, though, she fled her husband and divorced.
She eventually was awarded an associates’ degree from Camden Community College, Camden, New Jersey, and later worked with autistic children as a certified special education teacher.
Born March 6, 1944, Ms. McCormick met Mr. Loika on Sept. 24, 2010, and exactly one year later, they underwent a commitment ceremony led by an interfaith minister and a now-deceased Native American leader who guided them in an Apache prayer.
“May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years. May happiness be your companion, and your days together be good and long upon the earth.”
Ms. McCormick survived a stroke in March 2015 after moving west with Mr. Loika to Oregon, and her speech was never the same. However, the two of them became part of the Aphasia Network, where she regained enough of her speech to proclaim her independent spirit and speak openly of her love to Mr. Loika.
Now she has begun her star journey, and Mr. Loika has promised to honor the request she asked of him the day before she passed over: to write.
Members of the Aphasia Network have begun a GoFundMe page to support me during the time ahead. To see their message and hopefully donate, follow this link Alice was amazing
Thank you for this incredible tribute Mason. Sending love.
As I said earlier I’m so sorry for your loss. When I read this tribute I was left with goosebumps.
This is very touching, Mason. I know Alice would approve. Sending my love to you.
Mason,
Words fail us at a time like this, except to say that we share in your pain and loss by spirit.
We also share in the joy and love you experienced by having Alice in your life for these years.
My prayer for you is that as the days roll along, you’ll be able to look back on your memories you had together and be able to smile… feeling the warmth of love well up inside of you.
She was a gift to you… as you certainly were to her.
Sending only love your way my friend. All ways.
Keith
My heartfelt condolences to you Mason and to yours and Alice’s children and families…I have a lot of good memories of Alice when we were children …Our parents were siblings. My Dad was George Popovics and her Mother was Mary Popovics as children. Later in life my Dad changed our last name to Ponis. Although Alice and I lost touch over the years, we recently reconnected thru facebook and I am grateful we had that opportunity! May she rest in peace and may your memories be of comfort to you!
Dear Mason, I am so sorry to hear of Alice’s passing. Although I never met her, I read all of your missives, so feel I knew her. I’m
so glad that you met and found happiness in the time you had together. She was a remarkable woman. I pray that you remain centered with your memories and continue to write. My condolences to her family. Peace and Love, Judith
Hello Mason, again you and family have my Condolences for the lost of your Earthbound Soul-Mate who you did Meet, Love and share the best of times. Yahweh’s Blessings has always been with you, and that spiritual love shall always and forever be by your side. So do what Alice wants you to do and you do BEST …. Write!!!!
Jesse
Mason!
My heart is with your heart in this time of your grievous loss.
— Dave
Mason,
I’m very much saddened by Alice’s passing. Will hold you in the Light and in my prayers.
Randy & I were both very shocked and so sorry to hear about Alice’s passing! She was a beautiful person inside and out. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers!! If there is anything we can do, please let me know. ❤
Dear Mason,
This is Elena, Miss Alice’s friend from the Y. I am so SO saddened by her passing… We’ve talked so much with her about life, and you were absolutely one of her favorite people! She was very happy and excited to move to Oregon with you.
Love, Elena
Mason, so, so sorry you lost your beloved Alice. Peace, and carry on(with God’s blessings.) Ken
Alice was a kind soul. Joan and I send our condolences. We wish all the Best, Harry.
I am so sorry to hear this.very sad…thoughts and prayers for you and family Love Brooke
Alice’s ‘star journey’ made me realize how everyone was loved and welcomed in her world. I believe the universe shuddered when she passed away so suddenly….but with that shudder the universe created and named her a ‘star’–so immense and so brilliant–it will last forever!
We had a life-long friendship, beginning in 1st grade to the very present. We laughed, we cried and went through countless changes over the years….but we never lost touch with one another. Alice never ceased to amaze the people who knew of her many, many talents. What she could do with just a can of paint and wallpaper border was phenomenal!
I shall never forget her…..until we meet again, dear friend.
Mason,
I am deeply sorry to hear about Alice. I always looked forward to seeing my fellow tall lady at the AN retreats and enjoyed being in her presence and around her positive, infectious energy. She will be deeply missed by so many but she has left a legacy behind in teaching so many students and future health care professionals. You both have impacted so many future patients and partners whom these students will support so thank you for that gift. You will be sorely missed Alice but never forgotten.
Marcia Frost
You were very special to my daughter Kailey Cox. The world was better with you in it. I am so sorry I missed meeting you.