Alice Marie Lachman was born on November 13th, 1941 in Reading PA. She was 78 years old upon her death on June 11th 2020 which was ultimately the result of contracting Covid-19 compromised with dementia. She was surrounded by her 2 children at the time of her death.
Alice was a remarkably kind and generous woman who lived a life full of love and humor and GRACE. She left home after high school to attend nursing school at Saint Joseph Hospital where after earning her associate’s degree, she worked in the operating room. Following that, having been inspired by the graceful lifestyle of those Sisters Religious who had overseen her instruction at the hospital, she travelled to Ossining, NY to join the Catholic missionary sisters of Maryknoll as a novice. There she became the recipient and instrument of lifelong acceptance by a community of selfless people dedicated to creating a more just and compassionate world. Before taking her finial vows, however, she felt the calling to have a family of her own. So, she journeyed onward joining VISTA (volunteers in service to America) a national program designed specifically to fight poverty domestically. After a few years of working with VISTA in Chicago and the upper peninsula of Michigan, she returned to Reading where she met and married the father of her two children. Never one to remain complacent, Alice continued her education through a correspondence program while raising her son and daughter and was able to earn her BSN. She moved to Connecticut where she finished raising her children while working as a psychiatric nurse for many years before finally retiring. However, she continued volunteering for organizations dedicated to helping those in need such as battered women and people calling in to suicide hotlines.
Alice was a nature lover who was able to appreciate the simple pleasures of life. She enjoyed anything and everything in the great outdoors and spent much of her time doing what she could do protect Mother Earth’s precious gifts. After her children, Alice’s heart belonged to animals. She adopted a beloved series of dogs and cats, as well as a variety of other pets throughout her life. She also loved music. She especially loved folk music and even played guitar in her parish folk group and taught many how to drum in her older age. She loved to read and write. Once retired she was able to publish a book commemorating her life and dedicated it to her grandchildren which enable us to live out her legacy.
Alice is survived by son, Matthew Hartman; daughter, Sarah Tullo; son-in-law, Kent Tullo; two grandsons, Bowen and August; as well as multiple siblings, nephews and nieces including sister, Sue and niece, Joy both of whom she was especially close. She was predeceased by father, Gustav Lachman, Sr; mother, Marie Boehm; and beloved brother, Gustav Lachman, Jr.
For now, based on the current pandemic, details regarding her memorial is TBT until such a time as everyone’s safety can be ensured. Family will be reaching out. Feel free to contact thew.m@att.net with any questions.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the following:
Maryknoll Siters at PO Box 317 Maryknoll, NY 10545 or online at HTTPS://WWW.MARYKNOLLSISTERS.ORG
World Wildlife Foundation at 1250 Twenty-Fourth Street, N.W. PO Box 97180 Washington, DC 20090 HTTPS://SUPPORT.WORLDWILDLIFE.ORG
