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.