Alice Janet (Lopes) Holley, 96, of Wareham, formerly of Waterbury, CT, died Monday, August 3, 2020, in her home with her family by her side.

Born in Wareham, she was the daughter of the late Inocêncio “Enos” and Isabelle (Fernandes) Lopes. She was the youngest of twelve children. She attended the Wareham Public Schools. 

In the late 1940’s, Alice was encouraged by two of her older sisters to join them in Waterbury, CT, where she met and married John Edward Holley and worked at the United States Rubber Company in Naugatuck for almost 20 years. She and John were also the proprietors of Holley’s Package Store, Tiffany’s Lounge, and a residential apartment complex in Waterbury. After retiring from these businesses, Alice returned to Wareham in the early 1990’s to be close to her family.

Alice transferred her skills as an astute businesswoman into her hobbies and interests, which included traveling, shopping for fashionable clothing and accessories, and collecting beautiful home furnishings. She also enjoyed playing cards, bingo, and other games of chance. What was most important to Alice was spending valuable time with her family and friends. As an excellent cook, she enjoyed hosting large family functions and celebrations in her home and taking care of her many nieces and nephews. “Auntie Alice’s” ultimate callings were supporting and giving advice to her many nieces and nephews. As a role model, Alice encouraged and mentored them as they grew into successful adults. 

Alice was preceded in death by her parents, by her five sisters, Mary Spinola, Amelia Reasby, Frances Santos, Julia Gomes, and Lillian Chantre, and by her six brothers, Charles Silva, August Lopes, James Lopes, John Lopes, Joseph Lopes, and Justin Lopes.

“Auntie Alice” is survived by her many loving nieces, nephews, grands, great grands, and beyond, as well as other extended family members and dear friends. Our fondest memories of Auntie include when, as children and young adults, a summer-time trip to her house in Connecticut always meant that lots of “FUN, FOOD and FAMILY” were on tap for all the cousins, and that a memorable time would be had by all. Auntie Alice was truly “the hostess with the mostest!”

The Lopes family wishes to acknowledge and thank Alice’s team of professional and committed home healthcare aides and visiting nurses from various agencies, including AlphaCare Home Health Agency, Southcoast Visiting Nurse Association, Attentive Home Care, and Old Colony Elder Services. These wonderful caregivers kept Alice comfortable in her own home and provided excellent services to her over the last several years of her life, and we are deeply grateful.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place in the future when it becomes possible for Alice’s family members from Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Florida, and California to travel to Massachusetts to attend in person. In the meantime, a virtual Celebration of Life is being planned and will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements by Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Wareham.  To leave a message of condolence, visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com