Alice O. Coryell

Alice was born in San Diego, California, to Julian and D. Delores Chavez. She moved several times in childhood and when WWII broke out, she applied for and got a job (fibbing about being old enough) working in the San Francisco shipyards. Yes, she was a “Rosie the Riveter”. There she met her future husband, Jack Coryell, Sr., a tall, good-looking, dark haired young man. They married, while both at the age of 18, in San Francisco on January 14, 1945; a marriage lasting 68 years. Alice worked several years at Washington Square’s Mocha Tree and La Casa Real; making many friends at both jobs. They were jobs she enjoyed thoroughly. The family attended West Portland United Methodist Church and Metzger Methodist. She met with her friends from the “old neighborhood” for coffee and lunches as often as possible and treasured their friendships. Alice and Jack raised a family of six children, living in the big Metzger house. She often said she enjoyed all the stages of her children’s lives, but their teenage years were her most enjoyable. Her kitchen table for eight always had room for more plates and friends; she welcomed all of her children’s friends for meals or stays of several days on occasion. Her daughters would spring “surprise slumber parties” at the home and she was fine with it. There was always room for one more, or two, or three..... Alice was a wonderful woman; beautiful inside and out, she showed kindness and compassion in all that she said and did. She loved her children fiercely and was proud of them all. She was a woman of many talents and had a beautiful soprano voice that teachers felt could be trained for opera. She modeled for artists and photographers when her children were young. She could build a playhouse teepee in the front yard, sculpt, draw, sew beautiful wedding gowns, roof a house, and could laugh at herself. She had such a good sense of humor. Things she disliked included gossip, big dogs, sitting still, black-eyed peas, outdoor exercise, and reading any printed instructions. She loved her son-in-law Steve’s peanut brittle, surprise presents, gardenias, and traveling with family. Alice Coryell is survived by her husband, Jack Sr.; children, Jack Jr.; Jill Bickell and husband Steve, Janet Coryell and husband Ed Gill; Jeffrey Coryell and wife Meg, Julie Coryell and husband Larry Hamilton, and Judy Penning and husband Garry; special “son and daughter of her heart” Venancio and Odelia Samayoa; sixteen grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; brother, Alfred J. Chavez; sisters-in-law, Joanne Chavez and Helen Chavez. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Alden T. Chavez. Following Alice’s wishes, there will be no formal funeral service. A private family “Celebration of Life” will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Companion Quilt Program, OHSU Foundation, 1121 S.W. Salmon #100, Portland, Oregon 97205 – palliative care patient support fund 24797. This organization, through their beautiful hand-crafted quilts, brings comfort and beauty to patients and families and we deeply appreciated this loving gesture. There is also the option of donating online at http://www.ohsu.edu/xde/about/foundation. Phone: (503)228-1730. A Bible passage from the Book of Proverbs: “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies...in her tongue is the law of kindness. Her children arise up and call her blessed.” Arrangements by Autumn Funerals, Cremation & Burial, Tigard, Oregon.