September 20, 1925 ~ April 10, 2023 (age 97)
Alice DeLaVergne, beloved wife of Ralph J. DeLaVergne (1920 – 2009), entered eternal life on April 10,
2023, after 97 years of a life defined by love, loyalty and gentle kindness.
Born in Schuyler, NE, Alice grew up on a farm in Blue Rapids, KS, the second daughter of Frank and
Emma Petr Vavricek. Alice’s brother Bud and her three sisters – Lydia, Edna and Betty – who all
remained in Kansas are deceased.
Alice ventured beyond farm life after high school graduation. She embarked by train for Washington,
DC and a job for the U.S. Civil Service in the ongoing War effort. With resilience and quiet
determination, she met the challenge of big city life as a small-town girl. In time, a co-worker
introduced Alice to her husband-to-be Ralph J. DeLaVergne. The co-worker became Alice’s mother-in-
law Ida, a woman who Alice cared for till her death in 1949. Alice and Ralph married in November 1947
in Washington, DC. They moved to Falls Church, VA then settled in Vienna, VA in 1959 in a brand-new
home with their six children under 10 years old and two more yet to come. Alice worked hard to make a
home: she painted, wallpapered, planted a vegetable garden, made curtains, made beds, taught her
children to read, cooked, sewed, polished shoes, polished floors, washed clothes, bathed children and
went to untold numbers of pediatrician appointments and swim meets, Little League games and school
outings. She wiped away tears and helped heal hurt bodies and hurt feelings.
Alice remained in Vienna until 2022 – 63 years at home surrounded by children, neighbors and friends
she loved and cared for. She welcomed cousins, school friends, neighborhood kids, boyfriends,
girlfriends, in-laws, grandchildren, great-grands. All were always welcome in Alice’s home and at her
table.
Alice loved to cook for her family and their assemblage of friends. Her table was always laden with
delicious family dinners. She cooked also for the Dominican Retreat House sisters and their guests. She
cooked for her fellow parishioners at St. Mark Church. Over the decades, she made hundreds of cakes
and pies for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, funerals.
Alice loved to garden. She and Ralph cultivated and nurtured azaleas that rival gardens anywhere. She
delighted in the birds her gardens and bird feeders attracted.
Alice found her passion when she was introduced to the Vienna Night Owls quilt group and began to
quilt beautiful, handmade works of art. Lovingly made and joyfully gifted to family, Alice’s quilts warm
many she loved and who love her. Alice’s fellow quilters became her lifelong friends.
Alice was a woman of faith. She embraced Catholicism when she married Ralph, and she faithfully
taught her children and everyone who knew her by example. Alice and Ralph gave generously of their
time, talent and treasure to their church and community.
In the final year of her life, Alice moved to Stephenville, TX where she was loved and cared for to the
end by her devoted son and loving daughter-in-law, Ralph and Peggy, and her kind caregivers at Good
Tree Assisted Living.
Alice is survived by her five daughters and three sons – Mary Horvath and husband Joseph of Rocky
River, OH; Ruthie Misner of Libertytown, MD; Louise DeLaVergne of Towson, MD; Helen Ridder and
husband Andy of Port Townsend, WA; Amy Stolle and husband Michael of Houston, TX; Ralph
DeLaVergne and wife Peggy of Dublin, TX; John DeLaVergne of Vienna, VA; Paul Delavergne of
Gainesville, VA. Alice also is survived by 21 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Alice is predeceased by her husband; son-in-law Jim Misner; and grandsons Shawn DeLaVergne and Jeff
Horvath.
Memorial services for Alice in Texas and Virginia are yet to be finalized. Alice will be laid to rest in the
St. Mark Church Memorial Garden.
Memorials may be made to St. Mark Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Road, Vienna, VA 22181.
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