Alice Peel Hafen passed away this morning (Friday, January 15) at 5:00 a.m. with her son, Peter at her bedside. She has been on hospice since Monday, January 11th. She has been such a great example to her family and all those who have known her throughout her life. She would have been 98 years old on January 31st.
Alice has seen so many changes and technical advancements in her lifetime. She had a myriad of stories to share with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Stories such as riding in the back of the wagon to go pick fruit over the east mountain, taking a lunch and bedrolls and camping out in the canyon, picking fruit the next day and then the long journey back home. Another great remembrance was how Neil would wait for her after her work at Eatingers' Cafe and walk her home.
She also vividly remembered being a nanny in Los Angeles when there was a 6.2 earthquake. Just the mention of an earthquake frightened her for the rest of her life.
Alice was one of four girls born to Peter Azel and Margaret Ericksen Peel. All three of her sisters, Lois, Margaret and Barbara passed away due to cancer. Each sister had young families at their time of death. Alice lovingly took on the roll of substitute mother for them. These neices and nephews adore her and have many happy memories of spending time with "Aunt Alice" and "Uncle Neil".
Alice was born with a beautiful voice and sang at hundreds of funerals. Once asked, "What are they paying you to sing at this funeral?" She replied, "Well why should I get paid when it was God that gave me this talent to share."
An historian since her teens. She kept a journal and loved to take pictures of historical events and special occasions. She loved being a daughter of this Mt. Pleasant Community. She was a faithful member of the Latter Day Saint Faith and had a firm testimony. She served in many church organizations as well as board member of the Mt. Pleasant Pioneer Historical Society. She also served on the Senior Citizens Board as the one to rustle the talent for their Senior Citizen Dinners. She loved quilting at the Senior Center on Mondays and formed wonderful friendships there.
She is the mother of two boys, Donald Hafen and Peter Hafen, both of whom showed her great love and respect and cared for her in her declining years.
Alice put together a cookbook at the age of 92 with favorite family recipes coupled with family pictures and stories. A loving nephew, Marc Smith, helped her with this project, a great accomplishment that the whole family will treasure for years to come.
Her favorite pastime these past few years has been to organize and share her picture collection. When I asked her if I could share them on a blog, she was excited to do so. So many people have written in and expressed their appreciation for these pictures of their family members. She marveled the wonders of internet communication.
She was respected, loved and adored by all who knew her. So many have said, "When I grow up, I want to be just like Alice Hafen."
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