Alice L. Garvin

Alice was born February 6, 1925 in San Francisco and later moved to San Jose where she grew up.  She attended Notre Dame College in Belmont and graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education as part of the Wartime Class of 1943. Prior to her marriage to William Garvin (Bill) she taught elementary school in Lodi. She started a family with her husband Bill, in Berkeley, and moved to Alameda in 1962 where Alice quickly became an involved member of the community. She was a longtime volunteer for the Franklin Park swim program, served as a “founding family” for Boy Scout Troop 89, and a Cub Scout den mother. She was an active member of St. Joseph’s Basilica and School, the UC Berkeley Alumni Association, and served as host for the popular Around the Town Luncheon for 15 years.

Alice began her real estate career with Gallagher and Lindsey Realtors in 1970 and in 1994 she was awarded Realtor of the Year by the Alameda Board of Realtors. In 1994 and 2006 the California State Board of realtors designated her an Honorary member for Life and she also received the Distinguished Service Award, Alameda Association of Realtors highest honor, in 2008.

In the early 1990s Alice chaired the Alameda Navy Base Reuse Advisory Group Housing Subcommittee and represented the city in negotiations for the Homeless Accommodations at Alameda Point (later the Alameda Point Collaborative) and helped draft the city’s Standard of Reasonableness for Homeless Uses.

Working as a Real Estate agent for 40+ years, she was well known in Alameda. Six years ago she celebrated her 90th birthday with nearly 100 friends and family.

She is survived by her seven children — Bill, Kathleen (Robert), James Casey (Barbara), Tim (Tracey), Anne (Don), Jennifer and Dan (Margot) as well as ten grandchildren, Molly, Matthew, Joshua, Nathan, Rachel, Garett, Lucy, Alice, Rose, and Chellie and six great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial mass and celebration of her life will be held on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Basilica, Alameda.

Donations may be made to Alameda Meals on Wheels http://www.alamedamealsonwheels.org/

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