Traverse City Record-Eagle

Archive: Tuesday

January 15, 2013

Elizabeth 'Fay' Alpers

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FINDLAY, Ohio — Elizabeth "Fay" Alpers, 92, of Findlay, passed away at 7:20 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, at the Hospice Care Center, Findlay, Ohio. She was born on May 9, 1920, to the late William and Mabel (Bopry) Carroll in Traverse City. She married Robert J. "Bob" Alpers on June 8, 1946, and he preceded her in death on May 30, 1997.

Fay is survived by two sons, Robert "Bob" (Barbara) Alpers of Solana Beach, Calif., and Steven P. (Donna) Alpers of Findlay; three daughters. Candace (Dennis) Rupple of Berrien Springs, Sue Ann (Rick) Evans of Pensacola, Fla., and Elizabeth "Lisa" (Dennis) Naherny of Jacksonville, Fla.; 16 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one brother, Ray Carroll; and three sisters: Irene Muehling, Elsie O'Connor and Frances "Honey" McCaw.

She was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. As a young girl, she was one of five children raised by a hard-working family, well known in the Northern Michigan community for their cherry-harvesting operation. The family's orchards overlooked beautiful Grand Traverse Bay on the Old Mission Peninsula. As a young woman, Fay worked for the telephone company, and later met and married Bob Alpers. While Bob pursued his career with Hancor, Fay raised their five children, always a loving and nurturing mother. Fay loved to read, and instilled that and her love of art in all of her children and many of her grandchildren. She had the gift of hospitality, and often opened her home to family and friends who passed through Findlay. She was an excellent cook, and is remembered for her many creative dishes. Fay pursued watercolor and oil painting for many years and was an active member of the Findlay Art League. Fay was also active in hobbies that she shared with her husband, such as golfing, traveling, and bridge. In her later years, Fay and her husband Bob traveled in their motor home, spending winters in Fort Myers, Fla. Fay spent the last several years of her life at Birchaven Care Center, and was well-loved by both residents and staff. Fay will be sadly missed by friends and family.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 18, at Coldren-Crates Funeral Home, Findlay. There will also be a scripture service on Friday at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Bright Road. Msgr. Michael Hohenbrink will officiate. Interment will take place at a later date in Traverse City.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. Online condolences may be made via www.coldrencrates.com.

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