Alice Hyrcza Gillen

Alice Hyrcza Gillen, 85, of Syracuse, passed away Sunday at Iroquois Nursing Home. Born and raised in Jamesville, she was the valedictorian of her Jamesville-DeWitt High School graduating class. Alice pursued higher education, obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from SUNY Oswego. Her passion for learning led her to a fulfilling career as an esteemed elementary school teacher in Pennington, NJ where she resided and raised her family for many years before moving to Syracuse in 1991.

Beyond her career, Alice had a zest for life and found joy in simple pleasures. She loved playing bridge, engaging in friendly competition, and sharing laughter with dear friends. Alice's quiet moments were often spent engrossed in the pages of a good book, where she found solace and enrichment. Though she flourished in her professional and personal pursuits, nothing brought her greater happiness than gatherings with her cherished family.

Alice was predeceased by her parents, John and Mary Hyrcza; brothers, Stephen (Julia) Soltis, John Soltis, and Alexander (Marietta) Hyrcza and George (Phyllis) Hyrcza; and sisters, Rose (Ted) Matysiak, Melena (Jack) Hunt, and Anna (Alexander) Wysochanski.

Surviving are her husband of 23 years, William; son, Michael D. (Christina) Smith of Boston, MA; grandchildren, Samantha and Andrew Smith, both of Boston, MA; former daughter-in-law, Chris Smith of Boston, MA; niece and best friend, Victoria "Tori" (James) Albright of Westvale; step-daughters, Sarah (Ken) Redmore and Virginia (Eric) Barrella-Hughes; sister-in-law, Mary Gillen (Sandra Davis); step-granddaughters, Rachel and Elizabeth Redmore and Maria Barrella; step-grandsons, Logan Barrella and Owen McCarthy; niece, Sarah Albright; nephews, James (Kelly) and Christian Albright, and many other nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and step-relatives.

In honor of Alice’s life, relatives and friends are invited to gather on Wednesday, January 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus.

A funeral Mass to celebrate Alice’s life will be held Thursday, January 4 at 10 a.m. at St. Charles - St. Ann’s Church, 501 S. Orchard Rd., Syracuse.

Alice will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery, DeWitt.