Alice Mildred Palma

The following is an obituary written by Alice's loving family.

Alice Mildred [nee McClintock] Palma, 103, of Indianapolis and formerly of Brownsburg, died April 16, 2022. Alice was born March 31, 1919, in West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park IL, the fourth and last child of John and Lela McClintock, all of whom predeceased her. Her father, a partner in Guy & McClintock Construction Company, built that hospital. Alice grew up in River Forest and graduated from Oak Park / River Forest Township High School, where she received mostly As and participated in French Club, German Club, Music Club, Debate Club, Chorus, and Women’s Athletic Association.

She was able to attend and graduate from The University of Illinois on a Cook County IL scholarship, graduating with honors in three years, in 1940. There, she met her future husband, Lumir Palma, to whom she was married 74 years before his death in 2017. Her first job out of college was teaching English and French for $135 per month in Clinton IL, allowing her to return to U. of I. to pursue her Masters Degree.

Lumir and Alice were married February 25, 1943 in the Chapel of St. James Cathedral in Chicago when Lumir was on a four-day leave from serving in The Army Air Corps during World War II. Alice’s parallel interest and degree in chemistry became valuable during the war when she worked in quality control on war materiel in several factories, primarily Revere Copper & Brass.  

Lumir and Alice’s three sons were born after the war. They first lived in Elmwood Park IL and then Paris IL, where Lumir had a Packard dealership with his brother Milton and then worked for the U. O. Colson Company. Alice enjoyed being in plays with Lu in a Paris madrigal group, being a Cub Scout Den Mother, and being involved in several civic organizations. Alice and Lu always sang in their church choirs; she had a beautiful voice.

The family moved to Indianapolis in 1962 when Lu was recruited by Indianapolis’ Gene B. Glick Real Estate Company. There, Alice taught English in Indianapolis Public Schools Day Adult High School and volunteered at The Indiana State Museum.

Lumir and Alice retired to Brownsburg in 1983 to be near their two grandchildren; Joseph (Melissa) Palma, now of Wexford PA, and Kate (Michael) Marciniec, now of Westfield IN. There, Alice pursued her life-long gardening interest for many years as an active member of Brownsburg’s Friendly Garden Club. Although Alice’s heritage was Scottish, an Indianapolis Star article highlighted Alice’s Indiana State Fair awards for Kolaches and the Czechoslovakian sweet bread Hoska.

Alice is also survived by her sons, Bob (Cari) of Brownsburg, Stanley (Cheryl) of Indianapolis, and Russell (Marcia) of Minneapolis MN. Alice later enjoyed her four great-grandchildren; Joe and Melissa’s son, Lucas, and Michael and Kate’s children, Will, Ellie, and Josh Marciniec. All will greatly miss Grandma and Great-Grandma.  

Alice’s 11:00 AM Rite of Christian Funeral will be April 25, 2022 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Carmel IN. Her cremated remains will join Lumir’s for inurnment at Bohemian National Cemetery in Chicago at a later date. Memorial contributions in Alice’s memory may be directed to Little Town of Bethlehem Preschool c/o Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1484 West Main Street, Carmel IN 46032.

The family wishes to thank Indianapolis’ Marquette Assisted Living staff, especially Nurse Ann Beckett, of whom Mom was quite fond; Aseracare Hospice Nurse, Shannon Wright; and staff member, Wanda, of Senior Home Companions, for their kindnesses shown to Mom. Thanks are also extended to Eric M.D. Bell Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Pittsboro for their gracious assistance. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Eric M.D. Bell Funeral Home and Cremation Services.  All are encouraged to share thoughts, prayers, and memories with Alice's family on her memorial page found on the funeral home's website, www.ericmdbellfuneralhome.com/obituary/Alice-Palma .

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