Alice Martino Roddy, 80, of Linden, Virginia passed away on Thursday, May 20, 2021 in the comfort of her home.
A funeral service will be held at 11 A.M. on Thursday, May 27, 2021 at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Front Royal, Virginia with Father Cozzi officiating. Alice’s burial will take place at a later date. Guests are welcome to visit one hour prior to the service at Maddox Funeral Home 105 W Main St. Front Royal Virginia.
Alice was born on May 14, 1941 in Watertown, New York to the late Sterling and Ruth Tait. She was also preceded in death by her loving husband, James Roddy, and her brother George Tait.
Surviving Alice are her children, Lewis Kapell (Diane), Kathryn Kapell Ramsay (Steve), and Douglas Kapell; and her seven grandchildren.
Alice served in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan from 1963 to 1965. She was active for many years in La Leche League, an organization promoting breastfeeding and attachment style parenting. For the last 15 years she was a devoted member of St John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church.
Arrangements are being handled by Maddox Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent to maddoxfuneralhome.com
I knew Alice through La Leche League as a colleague and a mentor. She was a wonderful person with a gift for guiding others when they needed her help.
So glad I got to know her.
I was honored to call Alice a friend. She was a voracious reader, so a great friend for a reader to have! I enjoyed reading the book she passed on to me. she was also an excellent seamstress and baker, someone who could make gluten-free baked goods taste incredible.
She was unfailingly generous and dedicated. For years, she was a reliable and creative volunteer at the school where I teach. She volunteered to be on any decorating committee we needed, and she even was a substitute teacher on occasion. Our students were shocked to learn that although she was their math teacher this past Wednesday, she passed from this world on the next day, Thursday. She will be very much missed in our school, and I will miss her as a friend. It was a privilege to know Alice and to call her my friend.
Alice volunteered many years with La Leche League helping innumerable breastfeeding families. Also, Alice practiced and trained many LLL Leaders in Communication Skills, I being one. She will be missed.
—Anna Childress, Tennessee
Alice was a long time La Leche League leader and beautiful inspiration. Her calm demeanor and wise words encouraged us when we struggled and taught us to strive for better communication with our children, our families, our relationships, and the world.
When she learned that mothers needed help in Winchester, Alice graciously volunteered to drive from Front Royal and hold monthly meetings, which lead to multiple meetings each month, for many years. She mentored countless families, encouraging them to find their path to joyful parenting.
Her passion for respectful communication lead her to serve the La Leche League Communication Skills Department, training leaders and families to use constructive communication when having difficult conversations. She modeled active listening and provided empathy over advice. Her wise words live on, reminding us not to regret missteps on our journey: “I did the best I knew at the time and, if I’d known better, I’d have done better.” –Ruth Alderman Tait (Alice’s own mother)
We are forever grateful for your love and dedication, Alice. You will be greatly missed.
I had the pleasure of meeting Alice at church and spoke with her several times when she volunteered at our school. She thoughtfully brought along games to share with students when we were not able to go outdoors for recess, and she very generously devoted time this past fall to making angel wings for our Christmas play. We were not able to use them this school year, but we will have them to use in future years. She will be sorely missed at our school!
I knew Alice through a couple of church activities over the years. Her calm, sensible, intelligent, compassionate and peaceful demeanor was striking. She touched many people because of these qualities. Our parish community has lost a beautiful soul.