Alice Rose Crews, OFS
devoted Wife, Sister, and Friend
June 29, 1940 – December 6, 2022

Alice Rose Crews OFS, passed away December 6, 2022, at the age of 82.

Services will be held on Friday December 16 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church 600 N. Liberty St., Independence, MO. Visitation will begin at 10am with the Mass of Christian Burial at 11a.m.  In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to the Alzheimer’s Association 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601 (https://www.alz.org/). Memories and condolences may be left for the family online at the website https://royerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/. 

Alice was one of ten children born to Dominic Jarecki and Emilla Liss in Columbus, Nebraska. She was raised on the family farm of over 400 acres where they produced such crops as corn, oats, and wheat. The days on the farm included typical farm chores and caring for the cows, chickens and pigs as well as softball. Alice left home to attend Mount Saint Francis High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado where she discerned religious life. She graduated in May, 1958 and went on to pursue a degree in English, Secondary Education and Minors in French, German, and Latin graduating from the University of Albuquerque in 1964. Around 1972 Alice met her love, Ralph D. Crews, in Independence, Missouri. They were married in October 11, 1974 and had 24 wonderful years together. Around 1986, Alice joined Midwest Research Institute in what would become a job she “loved”.  She was a Senior Word Processing Specialist and Proofreader for highly technical and scientific research documents. She was recognized several times by MRI for her patience, loyalty, dedication, and high-quality work. After Ralph’s sudden death in July 1998, Alice pursued a life that was rooted in the Gospel and the Spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi. She celebrated her 20^th anniversary this year as a Secular Franciscan. She served on the Regional Executive Council, two terms as the Regional Minister, as the Regional Secretary and also as editor of the first regional newsletter. Alice was a real “go getter” and was responsible for organizing the region as it continued to develop in its early stages. After her service at the regional level, Alice continued to be a force with her fraternity as a prayer warrior and also serving the poor and marginalized alongside the Poor of Jesus Christ. Alice enjoyed spending time with friends playing Bingo, Bunko and occasionally a glass of wine.   She often volunteered her services for events at her Parish, St. Joseph the Worker and enjoyed gardening and bird watching. During her retirement years, she enjoyed travel to National Parks, parts of Europe, and a cruise to Alaska. Upon entering Alice’s home, it was quickly apparent that Alice LOVED CATS. She proudly displayed cat décor in her home as well as several entertainment items for her beloved “Sagwa”.  Alice had a sign in her house that read “No outfit is complete without cat hair” which pretty much sums up her love of cats.  She Lived Well, Loved much, and Laughed often!

Alice is preceded in death by her husband Ralph Crews, parents Dominic and Emilla Jarecki, brothers Father Reynold, Joseph (Marilyn) Columbus, Nebraska, Eugene (Jane) of Leesburg, Florida, Dominic (Donna) Cameron, Missouri, her sisters Patricia (Jack) Gomes of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dolores (Frank) Filipowicz of Omaha, Nebraska, and Maryann (Norbert) Smith of Lee’s Summit, Missouri. 

She is survived by her sisters, Janette Pruch (Lee) Omaha, Nebraska and Theresa Rojas (former spouse Mike) of Independence, Missouri. Alice is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, lifelong friends, Secular Franciscans, and her sweet cat, “Sagwa”. 

Arrangements: Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home, Independence, MO (816) 796-8600.