Alice B Monroe

Alice Bixler Monroe, 91, died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on October 26, 2015.

Alice lived a wonderful life, filled with her passion for her family, friends, music and the arts. She was a loving wife to Emmett, her husband of 65 years, a loving mother to her five children, and a wonderful grandmother to her 7 grandchildren.

Alice was born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 8, 1923 to Ralph David Bixler and Ione Glenn Bixler. She grew up in Cleveland and Wadsworth. She attended Ohio State University, where she was a Tri Delta, then graduated from Wellesley College in 1945. Alice met Emmett Monroe at Ohio State and they married after the war in 1947. After Emmett finished his medical degree, they moved to Silver Lake where they lived for 45 years. Alice loved raising her children, being an involved grandmother in her later years, and was well loved and admired by many lifelong friends. Alice and Emmett spent their later years in Stow and also enjoyed winters in Florida. Alice lived the last two years in Copley and enjoyed making friends at Concordia at Sumner.

Alice worked at the Greater Akron Arts Federation, the University of Akron School of Music, and then obtained her Masters degree in Piano Pedagogy from Kent State University in 1983. Her lifelong passion was music, she was an accomplished pianist, and she delighted in attending music programs her entire life. She was a member of Tuesday Musical Association, First Congregational Church of Akron, Akron Wellesley Club, the Women's Board of Ohio Ballet, and Silver Lake Country Club.

Alice led a rich life with many interests, but the love for her family was her foundation. She is survived by daughters, Janice (James) McCoy, Lisa (David) Friese, Martha Masciantonio, Joanna (Frank) Polefrone; and son, Robert Emmett Monroe. Her legacy includes her granddaughters, Laura Friese, Sara (Rob) Harvey, Andrea Masciantonio, Nilagia McCoy; grandsons, Eric (Julie) Friese, Andrew Polefrone, Phillip Polefrone (Katrina Day); great grandchildren, Boden Harvey and Piper Friese. She also leaves her beloved nieces, Carolyn (Oliver) Esman and Sarah (Victor Barothy) Miller. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Emmett and sister, Sally Miller.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 7th at 10:00 AM at First Congregational Church of Akron, 292 E. Market St., Akron, Ohio 44308. Calling hours and a reception will be from 11:00-12:00 at the church on November 7th. If desired, in lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in her memory to Tuesday Musical Association, 1041 W. Market St. #200, Akron, Ohio 44313. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)