Alice L. (Calsyn) Lopez

Alice L. Lopez, 75, of Geneseo, passed away Friday, July 24, 2015 at her home surrounded by her loving family.  A funeral mass celebrating her life will be held at 1pm on Tuesday, July 28th at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Geneseo.  Father Michael Pakula will celebrate.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Geneseo.  Visitation will be from 4-7 pm on Monday at Vandemore Funeral Homes, Geneseo, where a rosary will be recited at 7pm.  Memorials may be made Geneseo Historical Assoc. or Gilda’s Club of the QC.

Alice Calsyn was born March 5, 1940 in Geneseo a daughter of Marcel and Madeline (Balliu) Calsyn.  She married Robert W. Lopez on April 29, 1961 at St. Malachy Catholic Church, Geneseo.  She graduated from Riverdale High School in 1958.  Alice spent 18 years in banking before being hired by Deere & Company, now known as John Deere Headquarters, Moline, retiring from the General Accounting Department in 2001 after 25 years of services.

Alice was most proud of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  She loved watching them in their various activities, all the “Mexican Family Dinners” making dozens of enchiladas with the girls, and all the games and laughs around the kitchen table.  Her favorite activities were with her family of course, all the holidays and birthdays together.  Over the years Bob and Alice traveled to all 50 states; Canada; Mexico; and 36 foreign countries.  Her favorite travel spots were Estes Park (the first family vacation in 1965), the inside passage in Alaska, the fjords of Norway and the 18 visits to Hawaii to meet 8 other couples every January.  She loved listening to audio books, Sudoku puzzles, and walking with Bob.

Alice was a member of St. Malachy Catholic Church in Geneseo, where she was active in the Celebration & Resurrection Choirs.  She also held over the years offices in Circle 2 and the General Altar & Rosary Society as secretary and treasurer.  She was active in the Deere Ladies Retirees as secretary.  Before cancer she was on the board of the Geneseo Historical Assoc. and held the office of treasurer, also serving as “Maid Alice” at many little girl tea parties and tours.  She was also secretary pro-team for Local 434 retirees.  She was an active member of the Hammond-Henry Hospital Auxiliary enjoying her Monday mornings with the special ladies in Long Term Care.  She also volunteered at Gilda’s Club of the QC when needed.  She proudly wore her 32 gallon pen from the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center earned over the years as a whole blood and platelet donor.

She is survived by her husband Bob of 54 years; daughter and son-in-law: Pamela K. and Ryan Tone, East Moline; son and daughter-in-law: Robert W., Jr. and Donna Lopez, Palatine; grandchildren: Tim Rockstroh, Melissa (Chris) Henderson, Kristina, Madeline, Elizabeth and Benjamin Lopez; great grandchildren: Aaliyah Ball, Urijah, Kiersten and Kiera Henderson; sister: Carol (Otto) Denny, Port Byron; brothers: August (Kim) Calsyn, Davenport, Arthur (Millie) DeClerk, Rock Island; nieces, nephews and cousins; and her special church granddaughters Evie, Emily and Katy Wilson.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

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