Worcester—Alice Erickson Mercer, 93, previously of 15 Huntington Ave, passed away quietly on Sunday, August 15, 2004 after a short illness. She was born on Feb. 22, 1911 to Axel and Amanda Erickson and lived in Gardner for a short while before moving to Worcester with her family at an early age. Her sisters, Edith Erickson and Evelyn (Nanny) Longvall and her brother, Albert Erickson predeceased her. She attended Commerce High school and graduated in 1929. During her time in Worcester, Alice studied violin with J. Truda for 4 years and Jacques Hoffman in Boston for 4 years. She subsequently was accepted at The Julliard School of Music in 1929 and graduated in 1934 with distinction. She was an accomplished violinist whose life work was performing, both solo as well as accompanied by her brother, Albert, an accomplished pianist. She spent many years in New York City, and her career was highlighted by the gift of a Domenicus Montagnana violin from her patrons, Mr. and Mrs. Pope, of NYC. She traveled the East Coast performing both publicly and privately for some of New York’s finest occasions. Alice and her brother, Albert, also played Mechanics Hall in Worcester during her career as a concert violinist.
On April 6, 1935, Alice played Carnegie Hall, billed as a gifted Swedish American Violinist, along with other Swedish stars including Ingrid Bergman. She was married to Kurt Mercer from 1956 until his death in 1968. During their time together they owned and operated The Rangeley Manor at Rangeley Lakes, Rangeley, Maine, a large summer resort with cottages and camping areas.
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Worcester, the Music Festival, the Mechanics Hall Guild and supported many musical organizations in the city. Her life was one of friendship, grace, and social entertaining and she will be greatly missed by her nieces and nephews, Sandra L. Johnson and Scott Longvall of Worcester, Lance Longvall of Hubbardston, Stephen Longvall of Northboro, and Craig Longvall of Boylston, as well as extended family and friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 14, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 73 Lancaster Street. Burial will be private. Please omit flowers. Memorial donations may be made to the Joy of Music Program, 1 Gorham St., Worcester, MA 01605.