Alice M. Hennessy (nee Muller), 94, of. Norwood, NJ, passed away at home on Monday, May 25, 2026.
Alice was the beloved wife of the late Robert C. Hennessy for 63 years, and a loving mother and friend to John and his wife Cheryl Hennessy of Mahwah, NJ and Kathleen Hennessy of Norwood, NJ.
Alice was born in Baguio, Philippines to John Muller and Laney Ngausi Muller. She was one of their ten children.
She is survived by her sister-in-law Geraldine Muller of Tucson, Arizona, and her sister-in-law Sherry Hennessy Plevretes and husband George Plevretes of East Norwich, NY, and many wonderful nephews and nieces.
When Alice was an infant in the Philippines, she almost died. The Igorot people – the indigenous mountain people in the Philippines – held a Canao for her, a ceremony in which she was given a new name for her second chance at life. And the name they chose was Vida which means life. And what a full, rich, and interesting life she had.
She had many occupations and experiences. She was a reporter in the Philippines, and a Catholic school teacher in New York. But she says her favorite time in life was when she was a young mother, caring for her husband Bob and raising her children.
She was an artist who created beautiful paintings, and wrote short stories about her family’s experiences during World War II. She and her husband Bob studied clowning and ballroom dancing.
Alice had a very strong Christian faith and taught CCD religious education for almost 40 years. She was extremely generous, and always shared what she had. She was known for always carrying and giving out candy – to her CCD students after each class, to her friends, and even to her doctors.
Alice loved to laugh. She loved travel, flower gardens, music, theater, casinos, and anything she thought would bring her closer to the Lord.
She will be greatly missed.
Visiting hours will be Friday June 5, 2026 from 11 am to noon at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave. Northvale, NJ. (201)767-3050. A Funeral Service will be held at 12 noon with internment to follow at the Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah, NJ.