Alice L. Harte

“A life of service is a life well and greatly lived.” ~ Omoakhuana Anthonia

“Wouldn’t that frost ya!” – On May 31, 2021, our loving mom, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend passed away surrounded by her children and grandchildren. We will miss her wisdom, kindness, humor and unwavering moral compass. 

The youngest of three children, Alice was born in Boston on February 27, 1929 to Joannes and Louise Jacobs, who emigrated from Belgium. As a first generation American she understood how precious freedom is and her family made the ultimate sacrifice when her beloved brother Jules, a Navigator in the US Air Force, was shot down over the North Sea during WWII in 1944.

Alice chose to join the Catholic Church at the age of 12 and over the next 80 years never wavered in her staunch faith and service to the Church. She was a member of the St. Ambrose Altar Society, led a Brownie troop, participated in many volunteer activities at our Catholic schools, sang in the choir, partnered with our dad to organize the school carnival, taught adult refugees how to read, taught adult Catechism and sewed layettes for less privileged women in the community as a member of St. Martha’s Guild.

Alice graduated from high school at 16 and worked for a bank. At a church dance, she met the tall, dashing “Jimmy” Harte. She gave up going to the dances for Lent. When she returned, Jimmy asked her where she had been. He said he was afraid he wouldn’t see her again. From that night they were inseparable and Jim married his beloved “Liske” June 16, 1951. They began their married life in Glen Oaks, Queens, NY where Jim started his 40-year career in the aerospace and defense industry at Sperry Gyroscope. His career would take them from New York to California to Utah, back to New York and finally, back to Salt Lake City.

During their cross-country journeys, they had eight high-spirited children. In addition to her chores as a domestic goddess, mom always found time to read to us, help with homework and referee sibling disagreements. She would remind her children that, “From foolin’ comes cryin’!”.  Mom made the best mac n’ cheese and applesauce on the planet. She often took care of her grandchildren and if they wouldn’t eat her chocolate chip cookies or a Drumstick she would ask, “For pity sakes, are you on a diet?”.  Mom was the family CFO and could make a dollar go further than anyone we know. She was a master seamstress and craft maven extraordinaire. When we were in kindergarten at Cosgriff, Mrs. Gourley asked every student to bring an ornament for the Christmas tree. Mom created a different ornament for each of us and we still have them today. She also made an Easter parade hat for Michael that was so fabulous he was featured in the Tribune for his fancy chapeau.

Mom and dad loved to travel, especially taking cruises as they got older. They loved the water and would often spend the winter in San Diego or Kauai. Mom was an avid jigsaw puzzler and together they enjoyed bowling and playing bridge with friends.  Unfortunately, dad passed away suddenly on one of their trips to Hawaii in 2014. This was a difficult time for mom but she journeyed on, making new friends at Highland Cove and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Mom was fortunate to find a fantastic new home at Sunrise in Holladay. We will never forget the amazing care she received from her care managers and nurses: Katrina, Ana, Todd, Chandra, Esther, Jodi, Ashley, Grace, Senovia, Sondra, Syna, Karen, Liliana and many others who showed mom incredible kindness, dignity, and love until her last breath. She even survived COVID with the support of this amazing team. We are so thankful to all of you as well as Kim, Annette and Chantelle from Summit Home Health. 

Alice is survived by her children Anne, John (Shannon), Michael, James, Christine (Ron), Patricia, Claire (Mike), Maureen (David) and grandchildren Thomas (Kellie), Katherine, Timothy (Morgan), Rachel, Jillian, Matthew and Benjamin. She was also very excited about her two new great-grandsons, Patrick and Jack. Alice is also survived by her nephew, Eddie (Karyl), to whom she was very close, and nieces Dianne, Rosemary (Tom) and Carol (Dan). She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Isabelle, brother Jules, sister-in-law Nancy and niece Pam.

Friends may call upon the family on Friday, June 25, 2021 at 6:00 pm at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1375 East Spring Lane, Salt Lake City where recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 11:00 am St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church,  1375 Spring Lane, Salt Lake City. After Mass, there will be a luncheon in the Benvegnu Center followed by burial at Mt. Calvary. As Alice would say, “Don’t kill yourself trying to get there on time.”

For those of you who would like to attend virtually you may return to this page moments before the service begins where a “Watch Service Live” button will appear.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Community Services or the James C. and Alice L. Harte Endowment which provides financial assistance for children attending St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School.