Alice Theresa Gereghty passed on to God’s eternal love on Tuesday, April 8. She leaves behind her loving multi-generational family of nieces and nephews, as well as her lifelong best friend Karen Growney and family who love Alice as their own. Godmother to many, Alice will be remembered as the person who always acknowledged each person’s birthday and life markers. She made sure we all felt loved.
We are certain that Alice has been greeted in heaven by her loving parents, Sybilla and George Gereghty. It must be noted that she also has surely been welcomed by her cousins, Mike, Joe, and Gabe, who grew up with Alice and treated her like a little sister. From the stories she told, she was never responsible for the trouble they usually found themselves in.
Alice was an avid golfer until a bad back halted her participation in, but not her love for, the game. She enjoyed sports and reveled in betting with her friends and family on both college football and NFL games.
Born in Jersey City on September 26, 1938, Alice grew up in Hillsdale, New Jersey, where she resided her entire life. She taught kindergarten in town at the George White School, thus inspiring the call to service for many children who became our community’s civic leaders. Alice was the long-reigning Snow Queen of the school because of her uncanny ability to anticipate when snowfall would deter safe travel—or when the show must go on. Such an honor could only be eclipsed by her devotion to the art and skill of teaching, including her achievement well after her retirement: when in her late seventies, Alice completed her doctorate in Early Childhood Education with Rutgers University.
A wake will be held at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ, 07647, on Tuesday, April 15, from 4pm to 7 pm. Mass will be at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 69 Valley Street, Hillsdale, NJ, 07642, on Wednesday, April 16, at 10 am, followed by burial at Westwood Cemetery.
Alice was the most thoughtful sweetest person never forgot a birthday or holiday card, we will truly miss her generous ways.
Suzanne and Charles, Port St. Lucie, Florida
Such a wonderful loving person. She was my kindergarten teacher almost 60 years ago & I have such fond memories of her. Rest in Peace
Alice was such an incredible teacher and person. She was my kindergarten teacher and inspired me to become a teacher at a late age. I recently crossed paths with her cousin and loved catching up with her through her cousin. As a young girl, my brother and I used to shovel her walkway whenever it snowed. She was a kind and loving person. I just wish I got the chance to see her prior to her passing. Just before she passed my brother wrote her a letter and she was elated to receive it. She remembered who we were and I’ll take that as closure. She will be missed for sure.
She was one of my favorite teachers!!! She used to buy me milk when I didn’t have any. She was one of the inspirations for me becoming a teachers. May she rest in peace ❤️
I’ve only had the pleasure of meeting Alice a few times but I know how deeply cherished she was by the Growney Family, and am certain that “Ah-ee” will be truly missed. May God welcome her home with open arms.
Will certainly miss Alice.She was such a beautiful friend and played a huge part in the Growney family. Always so thoughtful to everyone. We will all miss and love this amazing friend!
I fondly remember Miss Gereghty from my kindergarten class of 1961 and appreciated
the wonderful foundation that she gave to us.
RIP Miss Gereghty.
She was my neighbor for 15 years and my eldest daughter’s teacher. She as very sweet and had a huge family and friends; she will be missed.