Alice Kelley Sidor Appleton, resident of Denton for 50 years, passed away peacefully April 5, 2012, due to complications from emergency surgery. Hers was the epitome of a life well-lived.


Alice was born in Dodson, La., on July 21, 1920, to Mae Loumar Anderson and William Posey Kelley. The youngest of seven children, she grew from a country upbringing to become a woman of poise and grace. Alice graduated from business school, and at the close of World War II she worked as a secretary in the Office of Veterans Administration in Alexandria, La. There she met Andrew J. Sidor, a civil engineer. They married on April 8, 1950. Andy's job required them to move about the country, and they settled in Denton in 1961. Alice attended TWU and UNT. She worked as secretary of St. David's Episcopal Church and later in the Speech and Hearing Department of TWU. She served as director of the Denton County Chapter of American Red Cross.

Alice was an indefatigable volunteer, always ready to help a friend. For over 27 years she volunteered at the thrift store that benefits Denton County Friends of the Family. Alice also served as a Pink Lady at Flow Memorial Hospital and was a cast member of the "Paint the Town Pink" fund-raising show. She volunteered at Denton Regional Hospital and in many capacities at St. David's Episcopal Church. Alice worked on a FEMA disaster team, traveling around the country to provide assistance to disaster victims.


Alice and Andy were married for 43 years until his death in 1993.


On November 29, 2008, Alice married Roy Appleton, Jr. in an "autumn" romance that brought joy to their lives. She and Roy traveled, socialized, enjoyed life and laughed about themselves. They were a testament to the revitalizing powers of love and companionship, as they both blossomed in each other's company. Both families, long-time residents of Denton, enjoyed reuniting as an extended family.


Alice had a curious mind and a love of learning throughout her life. She played bridge, participated in exercise class and was a voracious reader, particularly of history and biography. She was an engaging conversationalist who loved to talk to people with interesting life stories. She was a lively and involved grandmother to her two grandsons and made up clever children's stories for them. Other than her beauty and warm personality, one of Alice's greatest attributes was her sense of humor with which she negotiated the triumphs and tribulations of life. She could not understand people who complained about not being happy, as her mantra was that "you make yourself happy."


Alice lived a full life, but in notes found after her passing she claimed that her greatest blessings were the love of two good men; her daughters, Ann and Andrea; and her two grandsons, Andy and Michael, whom she loved with all her heart. Her life was rich with love and relationships, and her legacy of love and giving to others will carry down through the generations.


She is survived by her husband, Roy Appleton, Jr.; her daughters, Ann Kathryne Baird and husband Bob of Austin, and Andrea Maria Sidor of New York City; two grandsons, Andrew Scott Baird and Michael Salem and wife Leah Anne; three step-sons, Roy Appleton III and wife Susan, Keith Appleton and wife Sharon, and David Appleton and wife Lori; three sisters-in-law, Veniece Stewart and husband Johnnie, Anna Carmody and Martha Raye Kelley; and numerous extended family members.


She was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew, her parents, her twin brother Odie, her brothers David and William, and her sisters Edna Vail, Johnny LaBorde, William Kelley and Marie Clingan.


The family would particularly like to thank the staff and doctors at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, who so competently and compassionately cared for Alice in her last days. Grateful appreciation goes to the staff of Ann's Haven Hospice and Ray of Sunshine.


In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Alice's memory be made to Ann's Haven Hospice, Denton County Friends of the Family or St. David's.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 9, at St. David's Episcopal Church with a reception following at the church.