ALICE EVELYN HARTRY
Alice was born Oct. 26, 1917 in Devlin, Ont. to Joseph and Mary-Anne Hunter and passed away Dec. 22, 2007 at Fort Frances, Ont.
Alice moved to Emo, Ont. in July, 1923, where she grew up with three brothers, Stuart, Norman, and Jim, and one sister, Millie.
Alice placed high value on knowledge, completing elementary school in seven years and graduating from teachers’ college in North Bay in the spring of 1937 at the age of 19.
Her passion for knowledge eventually reached the point where she had more printed research material than the town library, which she had been instrumental in founding.
In 1937, Alice began her full-time teaching career at Kingsford School, followed by Morley (Stratton), ending in 1943 when she married R.G. Hartry, a flying officer in the R.C.A.F.
She moved to Moncton, N.B. for the duration of the war to be close to “R.G.,” who was stationed at Summerside, P.E.I. flying bomber aircraft off the East Coast.
Returning to Emo, Alice became a mother, and continued teaching on a part-time (substitute) basis at area schools (Emo, Burriss, Cornerbrook, Finland, and Lash).
She also belonged to various organizations, including the Emo Public Library board, Rainbow Rebekah Lodge, Women’s Institute (Lash and Emo), and Knox United Church, including participation in C.G.I.T., U.C.W., and church choir.
Blessed with a great voice, she sang as a soloist at many weddings.
She was predeceased by a daughter, Joanne (1949); husband, Ralph (1989); and brothers, Norman, Stuart, and Jim.
Alice is survived by a son, Barry (Christine) of Emo, Ont.; sister, Millie (Earl) Jobb of Benicia, Calif.; brother-in-law, Richard (Connie) Hartry of Kirkland, Wash.; sisters-in-law, Elma Hunter of Thunder Bay, Ont. and Marie Hartry of London, Ont.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place in International Falls, Mn.
A celebration of Alice’s life, and interment of cremains, will be held at a graveside service at Emo Cemetery in late spring 2008 (the exact date to be determined).
A Little Step Away
To close the eye, to fall asleep,
To draw a labored breath,
To find release from daily cares
In what we know as death…
Is this the crowning of a life,
The aim or end thereof?
The totaled sum of consciousness,
The ripened fruit of love ?
It cannot be, for works of God
Are wrought for nobler ends,
And those away continue on
In the hearts of kin and friends.
It cannot be, for they live on
A little step away.
The soul, the everlasting life,
Has found a better day. . . .
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the charity of your choice c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be left at www.mem.com
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