Obituary: Crippen, Alice Lyons Saven
Age 89
Only nine when her father died, she and her older siblings took odd jobs to make ends meet.
After completing high school and during WWII she became a munitions inspector in NY City.
As she sketched ships in The Harbor a handsome sailor, John Saven, commented on her work; a comment that evolved into a courthouse wedding.
Alice chose a honeymoon over a ring, and after the war they started a family in the Detroit area.
When her children reached school age, Alice used her amazing can-do attitude to lead the charge of stay at home moms by pursuing a college education.
She graduated from Eastern Michigan University and taught 1st grade for 23 years, nurturing and loving each student, no matter how troubled or difficult.
Taking lessons in the evening, Alice became an accomplished china painter.
Following John’s death in 1986, Alice moved to Mesa AZ and met David Crippen.
This time a union was celebrated at the altar before family and friends.
Later moving to Spokane, Alice and David delighted in playing harmonicas for gatherings at their retirement residence.
Blessed with rhythm and style, Alice so loved the dances!
Staying on her spry feet until the band went home; she had a special knack for drawing everyone into the fun.
After 14 years together, David died in 2010.
Maintaining perennially cheerful spirits as she approached age 90, Alice succumbed to cancer.
Special thanks to Danielle and the Devonshire caregivers who brought so much quality to the last year of Alice’s life.
She is survived by two children, Vickie Munch (Jim), J.D.
Saven (Stephanie), four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Greatly missed, Alice will be fondly remembered.