Alice Meinert Obituary

The world needs more great moms, wives, and women like Alice Mary Meinert, of O'Hara Township, Pittsburgh. She passed away peacefully Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, at 91, at home, surrounded by family. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, John, of 70 years; her parents, Barbara and John T. Ford, of Etna; her brothers, John (Huntz) and Jim; her sister, Catherine Claus; and grandson, Ben Franks-Meinert. She is survived by her brothers, Rich Ford and Paul Ford (Mary Jane); sister-in-law, Joan Sorby (Thomas); her 10 children, John (Katherine), Kenneth (Alison), Michael (Jayne), Patrick (Crystal), Denis (Frances), Susan Amore, Timothy (Mark), Nancy Whistler (Keith), Thomas (Christina) and Lynne Franks-Meinert (Dawn); 26 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She graduated from Etna High School in 1950, briefly working for HJ Heinz, before pursuing the vital and busy career of raising 10 children. She also held down the homefront when her husband, John, served in the Army during the Korean War, and while he built a successful landscaping business. She was welcoming to new neighbors, kind, patient, and committed to unconditional love. After her children were older, she used her nurturing skills and patience to help teachers at the Middle Road special needs school. Between cooking massive volumes of food, Alice found time to play bridge and be involved in St. Joseph's Church through the Christian Mothers, Ladies of Charity, serving as a Eucharistic minister, and many other volunteer roles. Alice and her husband, John, enjoyed a lifelong friendship with six other couples who they lovingly referred to as The Etna Gang and had many friends at Indian Pines Village in Fort Pierce, Fla. Alice and her husband, John, traveled extensively in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and multiple times to Europe and the Mediterranean, along with a three-week trip to Australia. They created lifetime travel memories for their grandchildren by taking them in pairs on "eight-year-old-trips." As they traveled, she enjoyed listening to The Mills Brothers, Bobby Vinton, and the Rosary on CDs in their minivan. Alice and John's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren feel so blessed and appreciative to call them Mom and Dad or Grandma and Pappy or GG and Pap. They have set a powerful example, through their actions and words, of high standards for all of us to strive to live up to and carry on their legacy. A funeral Mass will be held in her honor at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at St. Joseph Church, 342 Dorseyville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15215. Family and friends will be received immediately following the Mass, and all are invited to attend a lunch and the celebration of life in the Church Hall. Professional services were entrusted to THOMAS M. SMITH FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY LTD. The family is appreciative of the care and support of Good Samaritan Hospice. www.thomasmsmithfh.com.