Then the Sunflowers were always here next favorite~
In 2003 I met Alice. She Believed in me... She encouraged me, she supported me, she laughed with me, she taught me things (many life lessons).
Alice was my boss, she was my mentor, life coach, friend, mom, sister, she played the role of anybody you needed her to be at any given time.
In 2007 When I became, once again a part of her team, WE became The Murphinator's. We joked about that but it was true. I feel like the rest of the team would agree that Alice's team stood out from the other teams. (I am not, in any way implying we felt we were better) I am saying WE were close, we were supportive of each other, we looked forward to Team Days & meetings with each other.
Back before Kim moved away it was sort of like a joke, Kim would push to get that TEAM Day scheduled because she so much enjoyed being a part of a great team with Alice as her leader. Alice would smile, and let us tease Kim.
Our Team days were great, we went on sail boats in NewPort & Duck Tours in Boston or Even sometimes just Food & Game day at one of our homes.
One Team day~ Alice took us out on her Boat... At that time, WE were Karine, Kim, Sheri, Jackie, Daphnie, Erin & myself. We were enjoying that speed boat ride so much & it was a beautiful day... then Alice OOOOPSSS hit a rock... HARD... we were stuck. We needed to be rescued from the lake by a man who had, had a few too many beers & his dog.
One time we went to dinner @ Texas Road house & played a prank on Alice, we told the restaurant it was her birthday... she totally went along with it...
As time went on the Team did change~ Kim moved away, Karine moved away... Sheri & Daphnie went their separate ways... We Were still the Murphinator's though & Now Christina Was RD Dick Dr & Lori Was RD Jefferson, Jackie & Linda over there @ Winslow, I will never skip Lisa Harish @ Pine because it was not her fault they chopped her home right off our area, and me at Hway... This was a fun & special period of time. We all became so very close with each other & with Alice as co workers.
Early in 2013 Our Team Had begun a nomination for Alice to receive The Richard J Bond Supervisor Award from the Providers Council. She won... and this past January we all went to Boston to support her and watch her receive her award.
Alice had already had several rounds of chemo prior to that day but you would never have known it, she was the strongest most amazing, beautiful person I have ever met.
Why did Alice deserve that award? I believe she was the most supportive, loving, caring, giving, hard working, dedicated supervisor I have ever known. She would not think twice about rolling up her sleeves and trying to unclog a toilet with her hands if needed, or plant an entire garden, or just take off the supervisor hat and lend a supportive ear, or even let her guard down and tell us how she tricked Paul with using a
SHEPEE....
Is Alice not absolutely stunningly beautiful & proud in these photos?
We had so many laughs it would be impossible to share them here. The point is...
SHEPEE....
We had so many laughs it would be impossible to share them here. The point is...
Everyone who knew Alice, believed & knew she was amazing & one of a kind....
I feel extremely fortunate for having known her, for 11 years of my life. I feel amazing for the 3 hours I spent with her Monday evening, even though at the time I did not realize just how special that time truly was.
I feel like one of the luckiest people in the world for having been able to learn life lessons from her..
I even asked her to marry me once....(inside joke, some of you will remember) if only... (not like that) we were all having drinks on an RD/ Leadership retreat. It was all in good fun.
When I saw Alice Monday & went out to the nurses station to ask for help for her this is one of my card i saw she had given out to the nurses~ She loved this one too~
Alice let me stop by her house one Saturday afternoon so that I could use her & her husband's wedding bands for a photo I was taking. I was doing a book cover for Danisha Leonard, a former employee of SHF. Alice & Paul's rings are now forever published on the cover of her second book in her series: The Day My Husband Left: See the photo: (book avail on Amazon)
I am choosing to celebrate having known Alice & letting her spirit live on in me. I know she is with all of us as she truly loved & cared for us. Alice will watch over us and live on in all of our hearts~
Lori, Christina, Linda, Jackie, Lisa H, She was courageous when she sat us all down to tell us about her illness & so positive. She fought like a true fighter & I truly believe someone needed her more~
Paul & Family Our thoughts, love & deepest sympathy are with you Alice absolutely loved and cared for her entire family, her friends and each person she ever met....It's just how she was.
Lets carry on her legacy~
Namaste~
Shanti
Believe in You
Christy Gagnon
This photo is from Amsterdam sooo The Netherlands Where Alice is from~
Also in preparing for H1N1 if in an emergency you need a mask... here you go... soooo creative... love her...
