Alice Landgraf Cary, 84, passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2015 following
a brief illness at VNA Hospice, near her beloved home in the East Falls section
of Philadelphia.
Alice was born and raised in Lancaster, PA, the only child of former Mayor and Dr. Dale E. and Helen (Landgraf) Cary. After graduating from Lancaster High School, she enrolled in Bryn Mawr College, graduating in 1952 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Chemistry, as well as French Literature and Language Arts.
Her life-long career was in medical research as a laboratory technician, involved supporting cancer research initiatives at Jefferson Medical University and the University of Pennsylvania. She retired in 2001 after a lengthy career with a practicing physician group at Underwood Memorial Hospital in New Jersey.
Alice was a life-long supporter of local Philadelphia collegiate and professional sports teams. She cheerfully followed the Phillies, the Athletics, Penn State Nittany Lions, Penn Quakers, the Eagles, and Flyers in all their sports campaigns. And of course, she was a proud Bryn Mawr ’52 alumna.
Pennsylvania was truly a love in Alice’s life. She enjoyed its parks, wildlife preserves, gardens and historic sites. She was a devoted volunteer for many years at the Deshler-Morris House in Germantown, serving as both treasurer and docent. The Deshler-Morris House served briefly as George Washington’s home during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793, hence the title “The White House of Germantown.”
Alice shared many interests including gardening, classical and operatic music, genealogy, cuisine of world cultures, reading, especially mysteries with the Andorra Book Club and dining out with her East Falls Village friends. Although a private lady in many ways, her sense of humor was witty and infectious!
Alice worshipped at Trinity Lutheran Church in Germantown for over 40 years. She served as Treasurer, Vestry Member and devoted chorister. Her church family was especially dear to her and loyal in assisting her at home until God called her.
An independent lady, Alice never married. She is survived by cousins Sue Ellen and Matthew Underwood of Long Valley NJ; Katherine Underwood of Boston MA; Bruce Kennedy of Randolph, NJ, other distant cousins and trusted neighbors.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 12:00 pm, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5300 Germantown Avenue (at Queen Lane), Philadelphia, PA 19144. Interment will take place in the Church Columbarium immediately following the service. A reception at the Church will follow.
Memorial Tributes in Alice’s honor can be sent to Pastor Rosa Key at Trinity Lutheran Church, address above; or otherwise directed to East Falls Village, P.O. Box 12672, Philadelphia, PA 19129, Attn: Joe Lube.