Alice Mary Krysiak

Loving Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Teacher, and Friend. Alice Mary (Beaudry) Krysiak 93, of Florida, entered into eternal rest peacefully on Sunday, July 27, 2025 while in the loving company of her beloved daughter Denise (Umphrey) Kemmett and her son-in-law Richard Kemmett. Alice was the wife of the late Edward F. Krysiak of Lowell, Massachusetts whom she married in 1948 at the age of sixteen. They shared nearly thirty years of marriage until his untimely death in 1977.

 

Born in Dorchester, Massachusetts,  December 29, 1931, Alice lived a long and interesting life; rich with experiences and touched the hearts of many.

 

Alice grew up in Lowell, Massachusetts. She was raised by Catholic nuns in the Franco-American orphanage believing that she was an orphan. While living at the orphanage, Alice witnessed and recalled the infamous 1936 great flood of Lowell, praying the rosary together, doing the beautiful stations of the cross, piano lessons, French lessons and singing in the choir.

 

Around the age of ten or twelve years old, Alice was reunited with her biological mother, Alice R. Beaudry Tighe. It was then that she learned that she was not an orphan, and that she also had three younger siblings. At this tender young age, Alice began to help take care of her mother, and her siblings; Edward, Carole, and Paul. Sadly, her mother died of cancer only three years later. Alice never knew or met her biological father, nor did she ever fully understand the reasons and or circumstances as to why she spent the first ten to twelve years of her life living in an orphanage. As a young child, Alice pondered as to why she was never adopted while living in the orphanage. At times, she thought that perhaps she was undesirable. She had only found out after meeting her mother that her mother never wanted to give her up. Alice sometimes wondered if it would have been better if she had been adopted. However, she never regretted being reunited with her biological mother and her younger siblings.

 

As a very young woman, Alice had many different jobs, including a window dresser for department stores in downtown Lowell, a seamstress at American auto seat cover company, a driving instructor for Lowell Auto Driving Education and a nursing assistant at Saint Joseph’s Hospital.

 

In her early thirties, after being married for several years and having six children, Alice made the courageous and ambitious decision to return to school and pursue her formal education. She earned her high school diploma through the discovery program at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill, Massachusetts. She went on to earn her Associates Degree in liberal arts from Northern Essex Community College and then her Bachelor of Science degree in regular education and special education from Fitchburg State College. Alice was certified to teach kindergarten through 12th grade, both regular education and special education. For ten years, Alice worked as a fifth-grade teacher at the Holy Trinity Polish school on High Street in Lowell, Massachusetts. She then transitioned into the public school system and worked for the city of Lowell until her retirement. Teaching was truly her calling in life and for Alice, she enjoyed every moment of it. She had a remarkable career as a teacher leaving a legacy of dedication and service. She was truly loved, admired, and respected by her students, their families and faculty members. 

 

Alice was known for her poised but outgoing personality, kind nature, as well as an inner and outer beauty.  She found joy and peace in spending many entire summers camping at the family summer camp "the bus," in Nova Scotia. It was there that the family had many gatherings and celebrations. Alice enjoyed sitting by the light of the lanterns listening to stories and cooking homemade delicious meals for her family and friends. She made lasting friendships in Nova Scotia and thought of them as her second family. Alice had numerous hobbies including attending plays, Broadway musicals, symphonies and boating on Winnipesauke. She had a lovely voice and enjoyed singing. She was also an avid reader, oftentimes reading a book a day. Agatha Christe was one of her favorite authors. She delighted in watching classic old black and white movies. She was an excellent seamstress and lovingly crafted many outfits for her children in their younger years.

 

Alice thoroughly enjoyed traveling, both domestically and abroad. She went on several fun filled, interesting and happy adventures with her beloved daughter, Denise and her family, with whom she lived with. Italy, Disney World, London, and the Grand Cayman Island were just a few of her most favorite destinations. Touring the Vatican was one of her life dreams. In London, she was emotionally moved by the play “Les Misérables” which brought her to tears.  Exploring the great coral reef in the Grand Cayman Island challenged her comfort zone, walking off the catamaran into the water, snorkeling with sting rays, and fighting the current while avoiding the coral reef were formidable. She enjoyed the parades, fireworks, light-shows and going on all the rides at Disney World … even the Tower of Terror, egged on by her grandchildren, Mark and Elizabeth Umphrey. 

 

She especially loved the beauty of New Hampshire and the Lake Winnipesaukee region, where she lived for several years before moving to Florida. There she was an active member of the Moultonborough New Hampshire Lion's Club, volunteering for Bingo every Tuesday and for their Meals on Wheels program.

 

In 2019, Alice relocated to SW Florida with her daughter Denise. She embraced living in Florida. A peaceful, happy, and loving home environment, abundant sunshine, warm weather, beautiful beaches, gorgeous sunsets, wine dinners, mother and daughter outings for pedicures and manicures, followed by talkative and entertaining luncheons, meeting new and interesting people; all wholeheartedly agreed with Alice.

 

Alice is survived by four daughters; Dianna Xifaras (husband George), Donna Spano, Denise (Umphrey) her beloved daughter and steadfast friend with whom she lived with (husband Richard Kemmett), and Darlene Loosigain. She is also survived by a daughter in law, Sharon (Krysiak) Lussier and a good friend Dottie Hill.

 

Several grandchildren, including her beloved grandson, Jason Everett and his wife Krystal, and their four children of Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Her beloved grandson, Dr. Mark Stephen Umphrey II DO MPH and his wife Angee and their two children, Maximiliano and Victoria of Franklin, Massachusetts. As well as several great grandchildren.

 

Alice was preceded in death by her husband Edward F. Krysiak; Son-in-law Mark S. Umphrey whom she greatly admired, appreciated, and loved; son Dennis Krysiak; her very special and beloved daughter Debra Ann Krysiak; son-in-law Paul Spano; great granddaughter Gianna Grace Wright; granddaughter Elizabeth Angela Umphrey-Wright; granddaughter Alicia Krysiak; sister Carole Fisher McInerny and brother Edward Tighe.

 

Her Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Francis of Assisi Church on Friday, August 8, 2025 at 11:00 AM,  Located at 5265 Placida Rd, Grove City, FL 34224.

 

A Rite of Committal will be held at the Holy Trinity Polish Cemetery located at Boston Road, Lowell, Massachusetts at a future date.

 

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.