Alma R. Ball

Alma was a very warm, fun-spirited individual who loved and cared for her family and friends. I have the sweetest memories of her and Bill. From their time in Jerusalem, I recall two events vividly. When I was about eight or nine years old, my dad took our family to visit Alma and Bill. When we arrived at their third-floor apartment, I saw that the living room furniture was re-arranged, with two armchairs in the front row followed by two rows with couches. There was a big screen on one end and a movie projector on the other. The Balls had turned their living room into a movie theatre, and we were the only guests. The two armchairs in the front were reserved for me and my sister. I felt so special and excited. I remember there was some trouble in getting the projector working, when Alma came to assist and figured it out. We were very happy then enjoyed the movie. It was such an unexpected and a fun evening, made especially memorable for me through the Ball’s kindness toward children and gracious hospitality. The second event was the birthday party that Alma threw for their adopted daughter, Hanan. The Balls loved and took excellent care of her. During that party, Alma prepared many fun games making Hanan’s birthday a very memorable event.

When I arrived in the U.S. in 1988, Bill flew from Florida to meet up with my parents and me. He and Alma then invited me to spend Christmas with them, which was the start of a long and lasting friendship. They opened their home to me and later to my brother every Christmas while we were in college. They planned fun trips to Disneyland, Epcot Center, Mideaval Times, Bush Gardens, Thomas Edison’s home, and many more. We cooked, played games, watch movies, laughed and cried together. Bill taught me to drive and I got my license in Florida and Alma kindly allowed me to use her car. Alma was so fun to be around. We both enjoyed salt and vinegar chips with Pepsi.

I got to experience who Alma really was by observing the way she cared for her family and friends. She took excellent care of her aunt, Aunt Anna, who moved in with them for many years. When Aunt Anna’s condition required round-the-clock professional care, Alma and Bill used to visit her regularly, take her to mass on Sundays, and invite her to lunch. Alma used to buy her aunt books as she loved reading. While Alma carefully picked those books Aunt Anna would not feel offended by, once in a while there will be cussword. Aunt Anna used to tell us that she would skip reading those words. My brother and I wondered how she could skip words unless she read them first. We would chuckle. Aunt Anna was funny and a joy to be around. I still remember her love of Whiskey sour that Bill prepared for her during the holidays.

Alma’s care for her relatives and friends never ceased while she was able. I recall her taking good care of me while I underwent surgery to remove my wisdom teeth. She took such good care of Bill throughout his battle with lung cancer, to the point that she brought him back home to care for him because she thought that she would take better care of him. She got him a hospital bed and cared for him around the clock, which took a toll on her. She did the same for her sister Germaine. Basically, she was the one to care for everyone around her and still stay upbeat. She was a remarkable woman.

I am so blessed to have had Alma and Bill in my life throughout my years in the US. They were second parents for me. They were special, being there for every major event in my life in the U.S.: first graduation from college, doctoral graduation, engagement, and wedding, not to mention First Communion in Jerusalem, where Bill was my God Father. She lived by the beach but she also loved the mountains. When she visited our home in California in 2018, we drove up to the San Gabriel mountains and she hiked up to Crystal Lake at 91 years of age. She was a strong and spirited woman.

I am so grateful I got to see Alma last year and go out to lunch, reminiscing about the times in Florida. Alma picked Chinese as she loved ethnic food. Both her and Bill lived over a dozen countries and I used to love hearing about their worldly experiences. Their home had collections from different parts of the world. Upon my last visit a couple of weeks ago, Alma made it clear that she was ready to meet her Savior. She found peace. She touched many lives in some profound ways. We will miss her dearly.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 26, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Monastery Church of the Sacred Heart, 110 Shonnard Pl, Yonkers, NY 10703. Interment will follow at St Joseph's Cemetery, 209 Truman Ave, Yonkers, NY 10703.