And so it goes:
She was standing on the side of the road.
No walker. No more pain. Finally able to breathe.
Phil pulls up in a cab and says, "Where you headed?"
"I don't know," Alice says, nervously... "and I don't know how to get
there."
Phil says "That's ok, hop in. I know the way..."
Rest in peace, Ma. Don't worry; we got it covered down here.
__________
Alice M. Cormier, 86, of Wakefield, died on August 14, 2024, with her
sons and daughter close by.
Alice was born to Arthur and Linda Oja on December 1, 1937 in
Biwabik, MN. She was raised on the family's small farm in Aurora, MN,
often under the loving care of her maternal grandparents, Isaac and
Selma, with whom she spoke Finnish.
In 1955, she graduated from Aurora High School and left the farm to
become the first in her family to enroll in college. She earned her BA
from the University of Minnesota, Duluth and in 1959 headed east to
Wakefield to begin a career teaching English and Art to generations of
students.
One cold afternoon during that first Wakefield winter, Alice was walking
back to her lodgings in the snow when a local cab driver offered to drive
her home. Phil Cormier had wanted to meet the town's lovely new
teacher.

She and Phil married in 1961, and the following year she left WHS to
start a family. They eventually welcomed three sons, a daughter, eight
grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
She served on the WHS Board of Education for many years, and
returned to teaching in 1980 before retiring in 2000.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, brother Gerald,
sister-in-law Margie, niece Cheryl, daughter-in-law Eileen, and her
beloved husband Phil.
She is survived by daughter Alisa (Rich) Roberts, sons Chris (Marion),
David (Joy), and Keith (Dervala).
She is also survived by grandchildren Adam Cormier; Hannah and Sarah
Cormier; James, Dylan, and Dakota Alexandroni; Caitlyn and Brynna
Roberts; and Tara Cormier; great-grandchildren Rylan, Radyn, and
Jaxston, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Cremation has taken place.
The family will honor her life in a private graveside service at Lakeside
Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in Alice's name to the
Myasthenia Gravis Foundation at myasthenia.org
Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc.,
Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online
condolences or to share a memory, go to: lakesidememorialchapel.com