Alice Melia of Ottawa ON passed away peacefully on September 14, 2024, at the Montfort Hospital at the age of 95. Alice was surrounded by her large family who loved her dearly. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 64 years, Ronald Thomas Melia. She is survived by her five children Cathy (Terry), Paul (Kathryn), Anne (David), Ron (Carolyn), and Caroline (Rick). She was a loving Nana to Alison (James), Shauna (Kris), PJ (Amanda), Michael (Niki), Peter (Christine), Melissa (Taylor), Caitlin (Tyler), Alexandra (Dave), Brittany and James. She was a wonderful step Nana to Candace, Lee, Sean, Ashley, Dereck, Daniel and Krista. She was Nana Alice to her great grandchildren Madeline, Maggie, Arlo, Johanna, Grayson, Poppy, Everett, Mabel, Cooper, and Henry, and her step great grandchildren Lumi, Liam, Charlotte, James, Noah, Oliver, Gloria, and Eddy. Alice had a rare ability through her empathy and caring to make her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren feel special and unique.
Alice was born in Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland where she lived for 14 years. She moved to England where she met and married Ron and they immigrated to Canada in 1954 with two small children. They resided in Ottawa where they raised a large and loving family.
Alice was a nurturing nursery school teacher, an inspiring yoga teacher, a fitness enthusiast, an avid reader, and a keen political observer. She lit up the room with her beautiful blue eyes and dazzling smile. Always the most important thing to her was family. She was the glue that cemented a close loving unit marked forever by close family bonds. Sunday dinners, summers by the pool, camping trips, and Maine extravaganzas, Christmas celebrations, special time with each of us in deep conversation and time spent simply enjoying family - these are the memories and traditions that Alice gifted us with. She left this world surrounded by the love of her family, exactly as she wanted.
We are very grateful to the Step Down Unit of the Montfort ICU for their gentle care of Mum and of us.
A Memorial Liturgy will be held in the Sacred Space at 1 p.m. on Saturday October 12, 2024, at Beechwood Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Avenue (East of Vanier Parkway). The family welcomes you to join them for a reception following the service. Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ottawa in lieu of flowers would be appreciated.
Digital Guestbook
Mark Bonnell
Clare Gillespie
Paul and Cathy thinking of both of you as you mourn your mother. A difficult time but also a time to share and enjoy memories.
Linda Scott
Anne and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Alice lived a full, varied and interesting life and she left behind a beautiful family. My thoughts are with all of you at this sad time.
Clareen Prabhu
Cathy & family, I am so sad to hear of your mother's passing on September 14th. No matter how long we have a beloved parent in our lives, it is never long enough . My thoughts & prayers are with you, as is my heart. May your mom's gentle soul R.I.P. Please know that I share your grief.
Clareen Prabhu
Anne Stankovic
Cathy, Terry and family. Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your mother, mother-in-law and grandmother. May your fond memories bring you comfort at this difficult time.
Mark Wright
Deepest sympathies for your loss. 🥀💜
R. G. MAXTED
My sincere condolences to the Melia family.
Dianna Hutchinson
Sincere condolences, Cathy and family, on the passing of your mother. What an honour for you to have enjoyed her for so many years. May she rest in peace.
Dianna Hutchinson.
Marian and Richard Winsall
Sending you all our love, hugs and thoughts. We have beautiful fond memories, which will stay with us forever. I am sure Alice and Patsy will be putting the world to rights up there. Ron and Tommy will probably be raising their eyebrows!!
Stephanie White
My condolences Caroline. I know the love and deep connection you shared with your Mum. May the good memories, love and support of friends and family comfort you in the difficult days ahead.
My deepest sympathies to the Melia family from the Bonnells. My mother Eleanor and Alice took yoga classes together in the 1970s I believe while we were on Appleford st and I went to school with Caroline for some years. May she rest in piece.