Alice G. Houde

Alice G. (Duszak) Houde, 92 of Arlington, MA passed away on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at the Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge.

Alice was born in Gardner, MA in 1930, the daughter of the late Stanley and Genevieve Duszak, sister of the late Jean (Duszak) Nowak of CT and pre-deceased brothers Edward, Stanley, and Thomas Duszak (MA.)

Alice was married to the late Donald S. Houde Sr, a prior Chief Petty Officer of the US Navy.  Alice is survived by her sister-in-law, Lenore Donnelly (VA); a daughter, Sandra A. Houde of Arlington, MA; two sons, Brian Houde and his wife Tess Houde of Pittsburgh, CA, and Donald S. Houde, Jr. (MA.)  Alice received great joy from her grandchildren; Christopher Coutsoukis (MA), Donald T. Houde, Joshua Houde, Michael Houde (MA), Samantha (Houde) Pain and her husband Shaun (MA) along with nine great grandchildren including Kate Houde (CA).

Alice was known to have a warm smile and generous heart, giving selflessly to providing family and friends what they needed and most often putting the needs of others first.  Alice, an energetic and forward-thinking young women worked for Table Talk Pies in Kelly Square in Worcester for more than a decade providing for her family as the eldest when her father died young and steadfastly working towards her personal dreams of having a family and raising children.  Coming from a large extended family, she developed exceptional cooking and baking skills. Others acknowledged she was the best cook in the family.  She was known for making 27 different types of Christmas cookies each year along with 3-4 types of homemade pies while preparing outstanding multi course banquets each holiday for all family members to enjoy.  In addition, being exceptionally generous, Alice would send all guests home with plates full of food and pastries including coins in children’s containers.  Alice and her cousin Irene Bombard additionally worked many years together at Hebert’s Candy Mansion in Shrewsbury having loads of fun.   Alice worked as a supervisor for Sprague Electric, later called Allegro, for many years, retiring at 70.  Alice loved gardening both indoors and outdoors, having the largest rock garden in our town.  She especially had a green thumb growing indoor African violets winning many ribbons at competitions.

Services for Alice were held on Saturday, January 14, 2023 with calling hours from 9-10 am with her funeral service immediately following at 10 am at the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME, 370 Plantation St., Worcester.  Burial was held at Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester.