Obituary of Alice Dorothy Lyko

          It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Alice Dorothy Lyko, who passed away peacefully on September 21st, 2024 surrounded by family.

          Alice was born to Joseph and Genevieve Kowalik in Passic, New Jersey in April of 1941. She was raised alongside her loving twin sister, Barbara. They were inseparable creating memories throughout their entire life. Alice raised four wonderful children and was an active supportive mom. From volunteering at the school library, being a Brownie and Girl Scout leader to attending her son’s sporting events, she made her children a priority.

          Alice began a professional career in 1983 graduating from the L.P.N. Program at Passaic County Vo-Tech. Alice continued her education becoming an R.N. in 1985 (Bergen Community College). She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Management (Cum Laude) from St. Peter’s College, Englewood Cliffs, NJ in 1992. Alice worked for Fresenius Medical Care spending twenty years in the dialysis industry. Her final position was regional director of training, retiring in 2006.

          Alice adored her grandchildren and made it a point to always be there for them. From helping with science projects, countless phone calls, sending letters, and never missing a birthday, to flying cross country to be present for milestone events in their lives. She even joined Facebook to stay connected and up to date. She also enjoyed trips with her sister and family to “Twin Haven”; their home away from home in the Poconos. In retirement, Alice volunteered at the food pantry through her church, Our Lady Queen of Peace in West Milford, NJ.

          Alice lived a full and beautiful life and reached the age of 83. And though we are saddened by her loss, we take comfort in knowing that she is reunited in Heaven with her sister, Sister Barbara Kowalik. She is survived by her children, Teresa Hill (Walt), Bill Grace (Debbie), Barbara Saxe (Dan), Lori Underhill, her grandchildren, Nicole (Andy), Lisa, Jennifer (Nick), Alyssa (Erin), Michelle, Eric, Ashley (Rich), Daniel (Christine), William, her great grandchildren, Derek, Ethan, Amelia, Charlotte, Nicholas and Madeline, and many friends and colleagues who will remember her fondly.

          If you would like to contribute to Alice’s memory in your own way, please consider making a charitable contribution to an organization that does amazing work for a cause that Alice herself worked to support; the Interfaith Food Pantry. Donations can be made via inmemof.org.

          A funeral mass will be held for Alice on Thursday, October 10, at 10 AM at St. Simon the Apostle Church of Green Pond, followed immediately by a graveside service at St. Michael's Cemetery of South Hackensack. Please take this time to leave a condolence, share a memory, or light a candle to continue to let Alice’s light shine!