Alice Fitzcharles Obituary

Alice Ritchie Fitzcharles entered eternal life peacefully on April 28, 2025 in Naples, FL with her family by her side. Alice was born in Evanston, Illinois on August 14, 1932 to Constance Tyrrell Ritchie and John Ritchie. Alice's father passed away when she was four years old, and she was then raised by her mother and "Nana," her Norwegian American nanny, who became a lifelong member of the family. As a child, Alice enjoyed piano, horseback riding, summer camp in Colorado, trips to Lake Michigan and Cape Cod, and her beloved dog "Shep." Alice's older brother Jack was an especially supportive and exemplary figure in her childhood in the absence of her father. Alice attended Grinnell College for two years and subsequently transferred to the University of Wisconsin where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature in 1954. While in college, Alice enjoyed sailing on Lake Mendota and taught sailing lessons to other students. Soon after graduation, Alice moved back to Chicago and earned a Master of Elementary Education from the National College of Education. She then accepted a job teaching fourth grade at Hubbard Woods Elementary School in Winnetka, Illinois where she had once been a student.

In 1958, Alice met David Fitzcharles through a young singles group at the First Presbyterian Church, in Evanston, Illinois, and they married on October 10, 1959. They bought a home in Glenview, IL and started a family. After several years, Alice and Dave moved to Madison, Wisconsin where they lived for 10 years as the children all started school. As a young mom, Alice was very active in La Leche League. In 1974, the family moved to Shawnee Mission, Kansas where their three children graduated from high school.

Alice was a stay-at-home mom and always nurtured a loving and safe environment for her children, working hard to provide opportunities for them, always offering support and encouragement. Alice passed on to her children a love of music and reading, as well as outdoor activities such as hiking, ice skating and skiing.

When preparing for the empty nest, Alice obtained a Master of Social Work from the University of Kansas in 1985. She used the degree in her work with Kansas Action for Children, and later Healthy Beginnings in urban Philadelphia after she and Dave moved to Media, Pennsylvania.

Alice was thrilled to become a grandmother in 1994. She was loving and devoted to her grandchildren and kindly helped her children take on the roles of parenthood.

In 2012, Alice and Dave moved to Lawrence, Kansas. They enjoyed their time making new friends at Brandon Woods Retirement Community, while their three Fitzcharles grandsons attended The University of Kansas nearby. Alice and Dave spent their winters in Naples, Florida, and after Dave's passing in 2023, Alice moved to The Carlisle Assisted Living community in Naples.

Alice was known for her adventurous spirit, optimism, resilience, intellect, kindness, patience, loyalty and gentle demeanor. She was a lifelong learner with an outgoing nature who always adapted and made friends in new surroundings. She had deep understanding of, and appreciation for, numerous cultures and religious traditions, stemming in part from friendships she formed over the years and her avid reading, most frequently of non-fiction works. She will be forever missed and loved for the gifts of life and sweet happiness she provided her children.

Alice is survived by her children, Michael Fitzcharles of Naples Florida, Diane Covello (Tim) of West Hartford, Connecticut and Eric Fitzcharles (Melinda) of Edwards, Colorado. Alice has five grandchildren, Allyson Covello (Imran Cronk), Matthew Covello, Evan Fitzcharles, Adam Fitzcharles and Ethan Fitzcharles. Alice is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Susan Ritchie and Carolyn Wyckoff, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister Mary Thayer and her brother John (Jack) Ritchie, Jr.

A Memorial Service is planned for both Alice and Dave on Saturday, July 12 at 11:30 am at The Carlisle, 6945 Carlisle Court, Naples, FL. The Memorial Service will be live-streamed on Zoom, and a link will be provided within the text of the obituary on the FullerNaples.com website one week prior to the event. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to First Presbyterian Church, 2415 Clinton Parkway, Lawrence, KS 66047-3723.