Alice V. Kemper

There were four cornerstones to Alice’s life: Family, her church, the rose and iris societies. and baking. These were bound together by the many friendships she built along the way. 

Alice was born in San Francisco in 1945. Soon after the war the family moved to Bellingham, WA, where her sole sibling, her brother Charles, was born. In 1950 her family moved to Sonoma, her mother’s home town. Alice would live in Sonoma for the remainder of her life (even though she lived in a skilled nursing facility for her final 5 years, she kept her Sonoma residence and strove for the day she could move back). She went to the local grammar schools and attended a small high school in Marin. She went on to attend Santa Rosa Junior College, UC Berkeley, and graduated from Brigham Young University in 1968 with a degree in accounting. She returned to Sonoma and pursued accounting work, eventually running the local H & R Block for several years.

Alice had a sharp brain with a sharp wit and offbeat sense of humor to match, which she retained until the day she died. She had the ability to absorb things she read and saw, and put this knowledge to use. She was a terror to face as an opponent in Trivial Pursuit or Scrabble, as her extended family will attest. She loved her extended family dearly in spite of rumors of their considering banning her from these games at family gatherings. Her immediate family included a number of quirky cats over the years including a few local strays.

Alice joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints while at BYU and she remained a faithful member throughout her life. She attended the Sonoma Ward.

Alice became a master gardener, with her greatest joys being roses and irises. Her garden was filled with many beautiful varieties of each. She became a dedicated member of both the local rose and iris societies, having served as president of each at various times. She was known for her friendliness, how she made other members feel welcome and for her ability to share her knowledge.

Her baking abilities were well known to members of all the groups above. She was meticulous in her techniques and attention to detail. We can all attest to the joy this brought both her and those of us lucky enough to consume the results.

She is survived by brother Charles and sister-in-law Nadine, her aunt Ginger, many cousins and their children. She will be missed by all. She will be laid to rest next to her father and mother.

Graveside Service Friday, June 2, 2023 at 10:30 AM

Valley Cemetery, 425 E MacArthur St, Sonoma, CA  95476

*You may bring a rose or iris from you garden to leave with Alice

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