Alice W. (Valley) Walsh, 65, of Mattapoisett, passed away surrounded by family and friends on February 2, 2016, at St. Luke's Hospital following a gradual decline in health.
Alice grew up in Tinkhamtown and in her youth earned many badges in Girl Scouts. A 1968 graduate of Old Rochester Regional High School she became a paraplegic at age 19 as the passenger in a car accident in town.
Previously she worked as a waitress and also at Union Hospital, Smith Office Supply, and Aerovox. Later she volunteered at the Brockton Veterans Administration Hospital writing letters and reading to other paraplegics and quadriplegics. She volunteered at the Jewish Convalescent Home in New Bedford. In 1983 she attended Kinyon Campbell Business School and volunteered with the Marion Center for Human Services, Inc. She also assisted with Mattapoisett FISH. Alice enjoyed music, arts & crafts, cribbage, and outings with friends.
Widowed by David J. Walsh of Bourne, she was a strong, vibrant woman who raised her daughter, Chrystal Lee Walsh of Ligonier, PA, with support from her late parents, Pret and Lorraine Valley. She was reunited with an adopted daughter, Dyanna Schulze, 17 years ago. She has two grandsons, Domenic Schulze of Fairhaven, MA and Linden White. Her granddaughter, Trillian White, was born on her front lawn delivered by her son-in-law Sean White. She is also survived by her brother, David A. Valley and his wife Linda Lee (Harding) Valley of Chesterfield, VA; several nieces and nephews, including Charlene (Killion) Tilden; and David and Margaret Harder-MacPhail of Santa Rosa, CA who are dear relatives.
She was predeceased by her sister Linda P. Tilden.
In remembrance of Alice, please visit Ned's Point Lighthouse and think of her or plant flowers or a tree this spring. Her private graveside service will be held at a later date in Riverside Cemetery, Fairhaven.
Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.