Asking for Alice - Helping for Celebration of Life
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Hello fellow friends of Alice,
Countless individuals have felt first hand the generosity of
Alice. We've known this amazing woman for years now and have seen the genuine care she puts into the meals she makes for the less fortunate and for those learning to live in recovery from substance abuse. We've seen the smile on her face and the kindness in her eyes as she says, "enjoy" while handing out a tray of nutritious and delicious food. She seems to have an endless supply of energy and she has often worked extra days and hours simply out of the love for the clients she serves so well.
Every morning, while working so hard at helping those in need, Alice would take a few moments and call her mother back in Ghana. On October 29, during their morning conversation, Alice's mother said she felt fatigued and had a headache. Alice asked one of her siblings still living in Ghana to stop by and check on their mother, and didn't think much more of it. The following morning however, when Alice tried to call her mother like she always had, there was no answer. Alice's mother, Akua Sika, had passed away. This news has been devastating for Alice and she has been coping by continuing to work and help others. Alice recently confided in me that the only way to prevent herself from crying is to throw herself the harder in to helping others, and continue to prepare and serve the meals that so many people count on.
I've known Alice for years now, as do many other people that have had the pleasure of crossing her path. Wanting very much to help Alice somehow in dealing with this big loss in her life, I realized that I didn't know very much about her personal life. The reason for this is simple, and that is that Alice is typically a private person. Instead she focuses every conversation and effort on helping others. I sat down and had a conversation with Alice about how she ended up here in Calgary, helping others recover from alcohol and drug addiction, from her mother country of Ghana. Alice's story is inspiring and I would love to share some small tidbits of it.
Alice was born in Ghana and has 6 siblings. It wasn't until 1995 that she immigrated to Canada with her husband at the time. They called the province of Nova Scotia home, and her husband was a professor at the University. Her husband's drinking had been an issue in the past, but during their time in Nova Scotia his drinking had progressed even further. At this point, Alice was doing everything to keep the family sustained, and was also singlehandedly raising their son. It was customary for Alice to never give up and to do everything to keep the family together.
In 2005, Alice had finally had enough and she felt there was no other option than to leave her husband. She lived in a shelter with her son for 3 weeks, and not being one to sit idle, she began to volunteer there. The volunteering turned into a paid position and Alice worked at the shelter as well as Standfield. She worked hard and before long was able to move into a new home with her son. Meanwhile her husband, who was left with the old house, had ended up losing everything. Alice is someone who will always help where she can, and she let her husband stay with her and their son. As often happens with alcoholic drinkers, her husband made promises of change and new beginnings, and together they moved to Calgary in 2008. But as also often happens, her husband kept drinking after they arrived in Calgary. They lived in an apartment and their son was enrolled and doing well in school, but Alice had no choice but to leave her husband again, this time permanently. This is the point in time when Alice began working for a homeless shelter in Calgary, preparing food for hundreds of individuals on a daily basis. She was also blessed with meeting her current husband. For the last 5 years or so, Alice has been working at a residential addictions treatment centre for men. I can tell you first hand that Alice's role is an integral part in the client's recovery, and everyone who meets her will tend to agree. I have never known anyone to speak critically of her.
During all of her time in Canada, Alice has always sent money back to Ghana to support her mother and siblings. Together with her brother, who lives in the United States, she has been able to help provide for her family back home and give them the opportunity to live as well as possible. Alice learned her work ethic from her mother. Her mother made many sacrifices to make sure all her children had everything they needed, and was the strongest person that Alice has known. Alice regaled in a story about how one of her brothers was born. Alice's mom was nearly 9 months pregnant, but needed to go to the barn and gather some food and supplies for the family. While at the barn, she went into labour and singlehandedly gave birth to one of Alice's brothers. She wrapped the baby and placed him in the basket along with the supplies she needed, and brought everything back to the house where she continued with her day. This is the kind of woman Akua Sika was; no matter what obstacle stood in her way, she would find a way to get through it.
Since Akua Sika's passing, COVID-19 restrictions have made it difficult to organize and attend a Celebration of Life. Alice and her brother in the US are working hard to make it possible, but the financial obligations are difficult to meet. By the time that travel will be permitted, funeral, celebration, and travel expenses are estimated to be $15,000 CAD. It is our goal to help Alice reach a portion of that, and to help ease the financial burden of this loss, especially during a global pandemic.
Alice, learning from her mother to help others, is now in a position to accept help from others. This is our time to help contribute what we can to a person that has so selflessly helped countless others. Alice has never asked for help from anyone in her life, and it was only at the end of a long conversation that she allowed me to seek help on her behalf. She truly embodies the essence of humility.
All funds raised will go toward travel, the celebration of life, and other funeral expenses. Many of the associated costs will need to be paid before Alice's planned trip to Ghana in February, so we ask that everyone share this GoFundMe and make contributions as soon as possible.
Thank you for your support,
Friends of Alice
In 2005, Alice had finally had enough and she felt there was no other option than to leave her husband. She lived in a shelter with her son for 3 weeks, and not being one to sit idle, she began to volunteer there. The volunteering turned into a paid position and Alice worked at the shelter as well as Standfield. She worked hard and before long was able to move into a new home with her son. Meanwhile her husband, who was left with the old house, had ended up losing everything. Alice is someone who will always help where she can, and she let her husband stay with her and their son. As often happens with alcoholic drinkers, her husband made promises of change and new beginnings, and together they moved to Calgary in 2008. But as also often happens, her husband kept drinking after they arrived in Calgary. They lived in an apartment and their son was enrolled and doing well in school, but Alice had no choice but to leave her husband again, this time permanently. This is the point in time when Alice began working for a homeless shelter in Calgary, preparing food for hundreds of individuals on a daily basis. She was also blessed with meeting her current husband. For the last 5 years or so, Alice has been working at a residential addictions treatment centre for men. I can tell you first hand that Alice's role is an integral part in the client's recovery, and everyone who meets her will tend to agree. I have never known anyone to speak critically of her.
During all of her time in Canada, Alice has always sent money back to Ghana to support her mother and siblings. Together with her brother, who lives in the United States, she has been able to help provide for her family back home and give them the opportunity to live as well as possible. Alice learned her work ethic from her mother. Her mother made many sacrifices to make sure all her children had everything they needed, and was the strongest person that Alice has known. Alice regaled in a story about how one of her brothers was born. Alice's mom was nearly 9 months pregnant, but needed to go to the barn and gather some food and supplies for the family. While at the barn, she went into labour and singlehandedly gave birth to one of Alice's brothers. She wrapped the baby and placed him in the basket along with the supplies she needed, and brought everything back to the house where she continued with her day. This is the kind of woman Akua Sika was; no matter what obstacle stood in her way, she would find a way to get through it.
Since Akua Sika's passing, COVID-19 restrictions have made it difficult to organize and attend a Celebration of Life. Alice and her brother in the US are working hard to make it possible, but the financial obligations are difficult to meet. By the time that travel will be permitted, funeral, celebration, and travel expenses are estimated to be $15,000 CAD. It is our goal to help Alice reach a portion of that, and to help ease the financial burden of this loss, especially during a global pandemic.
Alice, learning from her mother to help others, is now in a position to accept help from others. This is our time to help contribute what we can to a person that has so selflessly helped countless others. Alice has never asked for help from anyone in her life, and it was only at the end of a long conversation that she allowed me to seek help on her behalf. She truly embodies the essence of humility.
All funds raised will go toward travel, the celebration of life, and other funeral expenses. Many of the associated costs will need to be paid before Alice's planned trip to Ghana in February, so we ask that everyone share this GoFundMe and make contributions as soon as possible.
Thank you for your support,
Friends of Alice
Organizer and beneficiary
Stian Rørstad
Organizer
Calgary, AB
Alice Patterson
Beneficiary