Alice Lucy (Solfanelli) Stanchina

Alice was spiritually born in Loretto, MI April 3rd1924, she was the last born of six children to Louis and Vincenza (Conti) Solfanelli. She graduated from Vulcan High School while helping at home with various chores to help her large family get by.

Alice married dear Richard Joseph Stanchina July 29th 1950 in Loretto, MI. They celebrated 68 wonderful years of marriage last July. Initially, they lived in Green Bay, WI and Milwaukee, WI while Richard continued his education. Alice worked as a seamstress and with defense contractor AC Sparkplug until they began a family in Milwaukee. Soon after graduation, they moved their family to Escanaba which is where they planted their roots and Alice focused her time on raising her family. She was blessed with God given talents and was known to share her famous coffee cakes and pizzelles with family and friends. She enjoyed singing, gardening (known for her victory gardens), cooking Italian cuisine and sewing. When grandchildren came into her life, she wanted to be called, “Nona”! Alice had many names, her husband called her, “Precious,” sister called her, “Sunshine,” her neighbor called her an, “Angel.” Alice loved to serve others, this is how she showed love. Those who knew her loved her. She will be dearly missed.

Alice is survived by her husband, Richard J. Stanchina of 68 years; two children, Richard A. (Beth) Stanchina of Marquette, MI and Vincent (Elizabeth) Stanchina of White Bear Lake, MN; two grandsons, Dominic and Matthew Stanchina of Marquette, MI; one sister, Irene Opolka of Naples, FL; four nieces and nephews, Rosemary (Tony) Kordowski of Naples, FL, Robert (Judy) Opolka of Midlothian,TX, Edward (Georgia) Chounard of Norway, MI, Rita(Llyod) Harrison of Sault Ontario; nine great nieces and nephews, Irene (David) Gardiner of Highland Village, TX, Kimberly (Blake) Biddick, Kelly (Aaron) Griffin of Midlothian, TX, David Chounard of Norway, MI and Jason Chounard of Eugene, OR , Adam Cerra of Sault Ontario, Nadine Beange of Sudbury Ontario, Shelly Mitchell of Sault Ontario, and Dante DeBernardi of Gauthier, MS.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents; Louis and Vincenza (Conti) Solfanelli; brother, Americo (Marcella) Solfanelli; sisters, Elia (Edward) Chounard, Esther (Nick) Cerra, and Rosie (Peter) DeBernardi; brother-in-law Anton (Irene) Opolka; and nephews, Gerald DeBernardi and Ron Cerra.

In recent months, Alice enjoyed living at Brookridge Heights Assisted Living, in Marquette, MI with her husband Richard. The family would like to thank the staff for their kind and compassionate care.

Family would also like to thank Home Health and Hospice and Upper Peninsula Health Systems for the excellent care as well, with a special thank you to Dr. Steele, Dr. Bidle and the wonderful care provided by the nurses on ICU and 7th floor.

Visitation will be at Crawford Funeral Home, 302 S. 13th St., Escanaba, Wednesday, May 1st, 2019 from 1-3 PM.

A message of condolence may be directed to the Stanchina family by visiting crawfordfuneralhomes.net