Named after her mother but always called Alice, she was born on May 4, 1925, in Los Angeles. The youngest of five girls born to John and Jacoba Werda, Alice out lived her sisters – Grace, Edith, Wilma and Jessie.
Alice spent her first 18 years in Compton, California, on the family dairy farm. In 1943 at age 18, she moved to Alaska, where she was hired by the CAA (later renamed the FAA). Alice was a Radio Controller from 1944-1952 and a respected career woman with the FAA. She trained at Boeing Field in Seattle during WWII. Upon graduation, she served in the Aleutian Islands/Alaska, Hawaii, Wake Island, SFO and LAX.
Alice had two children from her first marriage. Her first son, Jan Carter Dick, was born in 1944. He preceded Alice in death in 2017. Jan was married to Gloria Dick. Her daughter Julie Werda was born in 1946. Julie is married to Craig Dostert and resides in Mesa, Arizona.
In 1950, Alice returned to California and lived in San Francisco until 1952. She lived in Southern California the remainder of her life. She married Robert “Bob” Dick in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1952. They lived in Lakewood, California, from 1952-1987. Her youngest son Robert Dick was born in 1953. Rob is married to Sandra Dick and resides in Garden Grove, CA..
During this time, they had vacation homes in Palm Desert and near Lake Arrowhead. They moved to San Juan Capistrano in 1987 and were founding members of Marbella Golf Club. Bob passed away on April 1, 2008.
After son Robert was born, Alice stayed home to raise her family. She stayed busy helping with the family Water Truck business, Dick Equipment Company. She was active in various charity organizations. From the 1990's up until her death, she was an active investor.
Despite being born in 1925, Alice was a 20th century woman. She believed in women’s rights and opportunities for everyone. A life-long Democrat, Alice was always up-to-date on politics and current events. She was always accepting of different opinions, cultures and experiences.
Alice had a life-long passion for adventure and was a world traveler. Her love of travel started when her job took her all over the Pacific. During each assignment, she took time to explore the areas. Throughout her life, Alice travelled extensively from Far East Asia including China in the 1970's to Europe including the former Soviet Russia in the 1980's.
She also traveled to Australia, India, African, South America and the Middle East. She even explored Cuba. She loved to research and plan her explorations. In the last few years, she travelled to Seattle to meet her 2nd Great-Grandchild. She also visited Las Vegas, Yosemite and the California Coast in the last few years.
Alice loved clothes and design. She was always impeccably dressed and perfectly coiffed. She also enjoyed interior design and architecture and built a few of her homes.
She loved card games, especially Bridge. In fact, she was playing Bridge up to the last few weeks of her life. Alice had a keen sense of humor and loved British dramas/comedies. Alice loved live theater and had season tickets to the Music Center in Los Angeles, frequently taking her grandkids to the theater.
Alice also loved music. Her favorites included big band music, Frank Sinatra and Helen Reddy. One of her last concerts was Elton John in Las Vegas which she attended with her granddaughter Lisa.
Alice is survived by her four granddaughters: Lisa Komoto, Sara Dick, Stephanie Clemons, Robyn Quinn and grandson Hunter Lee.
She is also survived by her four great-grandchildren: Alicia Baily Clemons, Christina Komoto, Samantha Clemons and Annika Dick, along with three Great-Great Grandchildren: Briar, Oliver and Amorah.
Private services were held for Alice by her family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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