OWEN, Alice Grace (Jeep)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 10/18/2011 Alice Grace Owen Alice Grace Hunter was born June 18, 1924 in Philadelphia, Pa. During the difficult times of the depression, Alice's parents, Robert and Lucille Hunter, shared their home with eight to 10 people who were out of work. One of the boarders taught Alice to tap dance at age 5. From 1929-1936, she appeared on local radio and stage as a singer and dancer, as well as telling jokes and giving recitations. Alice went to Olney High School and graduated in 1942. She was a member of the a cappella choir, and class secretary. Her nickname was "Jeep" (like the character from the Popeye cartoons) because she had a new joke to tell every day in her home room. After high school, she attended Drexel Institute of Technology and worked as a secretary. In 1944, she became engaged to Joseph McNamee III, an officer in the Merchant Marine. While all the men were away at war, Alice faithfully wrote letters to a long list of soldiers. She always included jokes in her letters, and later heard that her jokes were passed around to the extent that some soldiers heard the jokes from other platoons before they received their own letters from Alice. After the war, Joe McNamee went into the real estate business and on June 7, 1947, he and Alice were married and settled in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania. Rande Scot McNamee was born March 8, 1950, Chad Joseph McNamee was born March 5, 1953, and Bonnie Lee McNamee was born May 18, 1963. The McNamee family spent their winters in Pennsylvania, and their summers in Ocean City, New Jersey. In 1967, Joe and Alice became the owners of the Oceanic Hotel in Ocean City, NJ. All family members worked in the hotel. After selling the hotel in 1968, the family relocated to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Joe and Alice were divorced in July 1970, with Joe returning to Philadelphia. For a time, Alice remained in Ft. Lauderdale, and earned a living making draperies and upholstering furniture. Later she moved to the Florida Keys and took a job as a hotel maid. In 1970, she became the owner of Alice's Bite Spot Restaurant at Bone Fish Harbor on Grassy Key. She was famous for her "homemade" key lime pies. In 1971, she met Ernest Jess Owen from Marathon, Florida, and on May 8, 1972, they were married. In 1973, Ernie, Alice, and Bonnie moved to Salmon, Idaho, where Ernie had spent his childhood. For 18 years, Ernie operated a car repair business, as well as a septic tank pumping service, a logging company, and a flight school. Alice was a member of the Four Square Church of Salmon. In 1991, Ernie retired and they moved to Arizona, where Bonnie was now living. Over the next ten years, they enjoyed rock hunting, fishing, and traveling the mountains of Arizona. In 1994, they settled in Show Low. Alice was a member of White Mountain Bible Church, and later, White Mountain Life Church. She worked as a counselor at the Living Hope Women's Center formerly known as Women's Choice Pregnancy Clinic. She was a friend to all. Alice was preceded in death by Ernie Owen (Jan. 2001), and daughter, Bonnie Graham (Dec. 2004). In September 2009, she moved to Bethel Island, Calif., where she lived with her son, Chad, and his wife until her death Sept. 29, 2011. She is survived by her son, Rande Scot McNamee in Souderton, Pa.; son and daughter-in-law, Chad Joseph McNamee and Lorie Eileen, of Bethel Island, Calif.; and three grandsons: Jay Marshall McNamee, Joseph Caleb McNamee, and Colby James McNamee. A potluck, memorial/life celebration will be held at noon p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at White Mountain Life Church, 451 N. 18th Place in Show Low. In lieu of gifts, make a donation to or volunteer at the Living Hope Women's Center.