STONINGTON – Alice Jane Withee Gross, born Feb. 24, 1931, passed from this life Sept. 8, 2010. She was the loving wife of Owen C. Gross for 63 years, nurturing mother of Ron Gross for 60 years, and friend and mother-in-law to Pat Gross for 37 years. She was the doting grandmother of Abby Alicea-Ruth Gross of Scarborough for 28 years, and Travis Edwen Gross of Portland for 27 years. Alice was looking forward to the addition of Jason Markham, Abby’s fiance, to her family in summer 2011. Alice was born on Swan’s Island to Iris (Hamblen) Withee and George Herbert Withee. The family moved to Rockland in 1937 and then to Portland in 1942 where she attended school. From there, Alice settled in Stonington and married the love of her life, Owen, Aug. 9, 1947. Alice never sat still; she worked as a bookkeeper for Deer Isle Granite shortly after she was married. From there, her professional life blossomed into years of business endeavors, which she loved and proved so successful in. Alice was passionate and a natural in her business ventures beginning with A Jays Appliance, then Alice’s Boutique, followed by Island Vacation Rentals. Throughout her independent business endeavors, she performed the bookkeeping tasks of the family business, Owen’s Corner Garage and Owen’s Auto Sales. Later, Alice loved her position and the people at Penobscot Bay Press, where she excelled as an advertising sales representative and unofficially took on tasks as the company’s “social director.” She loved a party and was a natural for making everyone smile, ensuring a good time. Music and singing was a great love for Alice and she was good at it. She had a flair for fashion and it showed. She was incredibly social and loved her friends and family, and loved the later winters in Florida and Myrtle Beach, S.C., along with the friends she made there. Her pets were always special to her and she leaves her precious Boston terrier, Cloe. She was proud of being a Girl Scout leader and a member of Stonington Methodist Church. Alice could whip up a meal for anyone that came to her door and forever made her home welcoming. Smiles came quick and she enjoyed a good joke. Alice took whatever she did to a higher level, did it with passion and made it work. She was a creative soul and made quilts, ceramics, paintings, dolls and afghans for loved ones while battling with rheumatoid arthritis for so many years. Alice was a generous and giving person who always made holidays and occasions special for others. She was especially proud when Travis graduated from Maine Maritime Academy and anticipated Abby’s graduation from the University of Vermont College of Medicine. She loved morning coffee, talks and gardening with her son, Ron. Her strong spirit and “home-grown” wisdom is the inspiration and legacy she leaves her loved ones. In addition to her parents, Alice was predeceased by her stepfather, Stanley Card; dear sisters, Janice Cole of Deer Isle and Jeanette Staples of Belfast; and one brother, Leon Conary, of Winterhaven, Fla. She is survived by her husband, lifetime companion and soul mate, Owen Gross; loving son, Ron Gross and his wife, Pat, of Stonington; grandchildren – the apples of her eye, Abby and Travis Gross; brother, Norman Withee and his wife, Joyce, of Searsmont; as well as the many nieces and nephews that she also loved dearly. She was forever interested in their family lives, new happenings and concerned for their happiness. Friends and family are invited to join together at a graveside celebration of Alice Gross’ life 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, at Greenwood Cemetery, Oceanville, officiated by the Rev. Steven York. A gathering and refreshments will be held 3 p.m. in the community room of Stonington Methodist Church.
ALICE JANE WITHEE GROSS
