May 16, 1929-January 3, 2013

”Oh I Have SlippedThe Surly Bonds of Earth…Put Out My HandAnd Touched the Face of God ”

Alice Lucille Kovenz (Smith) was born in Coquille, Oregon on May 16, 1929 and passed away peacefully of natural causes on January 3, 2013 in Redmond, Oregon at the age of 83. She was raised the youngest of seven children in Coos Bay Oregon and graduated in 1947 from Marshfield High School in Coos Bay. She attended Linfield College, graduating with a teaching degree in English. She would later complete her graduate studies work at the University of Oregon, where she earned her masters degree in English and Counseling. She was teaching at Roosevelt School in North Bend, Oregon when she met the love of her life and future husband John. They were married in Coos Bay on January 23, 1954 and spent the next 59 years happily together until her passing.

She and John moved to Medford, Oregon in 1957 after being hired at Medford High School. Alice’s teaching and counseling career was extensive. She served the Medford School District for 24 years. At Medford High, she taught English and was an advisor for several clubs and classes. When the high school split in 1967, she went to Medford Mid-High as a counselor and Dean of Girls. After several years there, she then moved to Hedrick Jr. High as the Counselor and Dean of Girls, and then to McLoughlin Jr. High. At McLoughlin, she was also a counselor, and it was here that she finished her teaching career back in the classroom tutoring and helping students who struggled with academics. She then substitute taught for a couple of years and decided to retire in 1988, to spend more time at home with her family and young grandchildren.

During the seventies, she took some years off to spend time at home with her two daughters, Kristin and Karin, who both survive. She was very active in their school activities at Sacred Heart Elementary school and St. Maryu2019s High School. She volunteered as a room mother, chaperoned field trips, helped transport to sporting events and after-school activities and was a leader of the 4-H club, the Sewing Saints. She served also on school advisory committees and was a member of the school boards of both Sacred Heart Elementary and St. Maryu2019s High School.

Prior to moving to Redmond, Oregon in 2008, she was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church for 50 plus years. She was a member of the St. Anneu2019s Altar Society serving several times as the President. Her Catholic faith was a strong point in her life, and she attended mass every Sunday and religious Catholic holiday.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Loretta and Genevieve; two brothers, Ed and Walt, and one son. She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, John, of Redmond, Oregon; daughter, Karin Kovenz-Coombe and husband Kevin of Redmond; daughter Kristin Kovenz-Wilkinson and her husband Jack of Lincoln City, Oregon; and two special lights of her life, her grandchildren John and Kelsey Wilkinson, both of Lincoln City. She also leaves one older brother, Pat Smith of Oregon City, Oregon, and an older sister Margaret Perkins of Coos Bay, Oregon and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that memorial donations be made to Partners In Care Hospice House, 2075 NE Wyatt Court, Bend, Oregon 97701. www.partnersbend.org.

A rosary and service celebrating her life will be held Saturday, January 26, 2013 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Redmond. The rosary will be at 12:30 and the service will be at 1 PM.