Alice Yurkenas

Alice A. (Gaides) Yurkenas, 93, beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, an inspiration to many who knew her, passed away peacefully, in her sleep, Sunday, February 3rd, 2008 in the Goddard House. Alice was born, July 12, 1914, in Roxbury, Mass, daughter of Anthony P. and Anna (Lucas) Gaides and has lived in Worcester since 1925. She was a Horace Mann graduate of Commerce High class of 1932 and the Salter Business School. On July 4th, 1941 she married her beloved husband of 49 years Matthew J. Yurkenas, who passed away in 1990. She is survived by her two children, Peter A. Yurkenas of Worcester and Martha Yurkenas Lanter and her husband Thomas of Portsmouth, N.H.; five grandchildren, Melissa Rumminger of Newport, Maine, Tamara and Anthony Yurkenas both of Worcester, Julia Lanter of Portsmouth, NH, and Jennifer Lanter Larson of Dover, NH; four great grandsons, David Rumminger, Erik, Benjamin and Joshua Larson. A niece Janet Makowsky of Oakland, CA and a nephew Paul Sikoris in Doylestown, PA. A sister, Blanche Sikoris and a niece Mary Ann Soderberg pre deceased her. Alice worked many years in the Registrars office of Worcester State College before retiring. In her 90's Alice served on the advisory board of the Massachusetts Association for the Blind. She was also a member of the National Federation for the Blind, Our Lady of the Angel's Church and the State County and Municipal Employees Association. Alice was a founding member, children's choir director, Women's club treasurer, Den mother, Brownie and Girl Scout troop leader of Our Lady of Fatima Church. Alice's funeral will be held Wednesday, February 6th from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St with a mass at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of the Angel's Church, 1222 Main St. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery. A period of visitation will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 am Wednesday prior to the mass in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Massachusetts Association for the Blind, 51 Harvard St. Worcester, 01609 or the Talking Book Section of the Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Square, Worcester 01608.