Alice Bumbera, 78, of Crosswicks, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 23. Born in Walla Walla, Washington, she was a longtime Crosswicks area resident.
A US Army veteran, she was a member of the Woman’s Army Corps. Alice retired in August 2014 as the librarian for the Crosswicks Library Company, where she worked for 40 years. She was involved with her children’s activities, serving as room mother for all three children at Chesterfield Township Elementary School and was a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader. She was a past president of the sports booster club at Northern Burlington Junior and High School and coach of the girls’ softball team. Alice served as the welfare director for Chesterfield Township for 20 years, was secretary of the Crosswicks Community Association, attended Crosswicks Monthly Meetings and was active with the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also a founding and beloved member of the Whimsical Witches of Crosswicks and volunteered at the Crosswicks Library Company.
Daughter of the late Gene and Dolly Palmer, she was predeceased by her sister Polly Dow. Alice is survived by her husband of 57 years, William C. Bumbera Sr.; her three children, William C. Jr. and Deirdre M. Bumbera of Elkridge, MD, Cynthia M. Bumbera of Crosswicks and Daryl E. Bumbera of Crosswicks; her granddaughters, Molly Faith and Erin Kate Bumbera of Elkridge, MD, Jacklyn Marie of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Kristi Nicole of Hamilton; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and Claudine Palmer of Colorado Springs, CO and Ronald and Linda Palmer of Cottage Grove, OR as well as several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday Oct. 19 at the Crosswicks Friends Meetinghouse in Crosswicks. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alice’s Way, c/o Crosswicks Library Company, PO Box 147, Crosswicks, NJ 08515. Arrangements are under the direction of Peppler Funeral Home, Allentown.
This column has been dedicated to my very dear friend Alice, who I had known almost my whole life. As an adult returning to Crosswicks with my young family Alice showed me the path to many new friendships including one I never expected — hers. Alice always welcomed newcomers and loved introducing them to our community. Alice was the backbone of the Whimsical Witches of Crosswicks, an organization dedicated to sharing new friendships in the community. The Crosswicks Library and the Village of Crosswicks will never be the same without her. — Nancy Mrzljak
Alice Bumbera touched and enriched the lives of more people in this community than anyone I know. She had a special love for the children she met and befriended, including the walk-byes served warm cider on Halloween night. She was my friend and I will cherish that friendship always. — Ken Lyons
She was upbeat and an easy clever communicator. I always enjoyed being with her. Gone too soon. — Christine Connelly
Alice Bumbera is one of the first people I met when we moved to Chesterfield back in 1987. Having a 3-year-old daughter and not knowing anyone, the first place I headed was the Crosswicks Library. That was my first introduction to Alice. She made me feel very welcomed to her library and on subsequent visits she and I chatted about all topics. She was a wealth of information for me. One visit to the library I won’t forget was stopping in one afternoon just to say hi. In the course of conversation, Alice learned that my yellow Labrador was in the car. "Bring her in," Alice insisted. So Nugget came in and inspected every inch of the library. Alice loved it! From then on Alice welcomed me with a hug and sincere, "How are you?" She didn’t take "okay" for an answer…she wanted to know what you were doing and how the family was, especially The Donald, as she called my husband. The Crosswicks Library will not be the same for me and my family now that Alice is no longer behind the desk. She is one of those people you just think will always "be there." I have very fond memories of many fun times spent in her company and I will miss her very much. Alice, you left the party too early again and didn’t say goodbye. Love you! Much love and sympathy to your family. — Amy Coover
On behalf of the Hudak sisters, I would like to thank Alice for being part of the village that raised us. She has been with us throughout our lives — the good times and happy milestones and the sad times and the struggles. Alice made an impact on all of us. She also made an impact on our own children. Laura, Sara, Joey and David will always remember her. We have been blessed by neighbors like Alice who have helped guide and encourage us. I thank God my father found Crosswicks on his way home from Fort Dix back in the 1950s and I also thank God he brought Alice into our lives. — Kate (Hudak) DiMemmo
Alice was the kind of person who gave everything her all. I will never forget the welcome she gave to us upon our arrival in Crosswicks. I loved the way she knew everyone and helped. Most of all I remember Alice for her eccentricity. I enjoyed having another arty person to engage with who was creative, strong, and investigative. I was very upset to hear of Alice’s passing. I shall miss her humor and genuine concern for you as a Crosswickian. Halloween parades will never be the same. I’m sure Alice is checking out books, and letting those angels know what the best books are. We love her and will miss her greatly. — The Wheelers
I can still picture a young slim woman with long red hair pushing a baby carriage on Main Street while walking to an event at the local school. We chatted a long while until the baby became restless wanting to just roll on. Alice had indeed, rolled on to become a vital member of the community for these many years. Alice is and will always be "Crosswicks." — Jan Williams
To have known Alice, is to have loved her! When we think of Alice, the beauty of small town friendships, genuine kindness, and always a good laugh (and perhaps a glass or two of wine) comes to mind. Crosswicks has lost a truly special and one-of-a-kind lady, but the generosity of her spirit will remain in our hearts forever! — The McKeowns
Alice let me come behind her desk and taught me how to check my books out and she gave me my first library card. One time Alice let me "borrow" the Baby Kate stuffed animal from the library. — Mary Heisler
On Halloween, my friends and I were always so excited to get to Alice’s house to eat the gingersnaps and cider. Alice always told us how much she loved our costumes and let us sneak in a second helping of cookies. — Anna Heisler
I was on my way to the post office to get my mail. Alice and Nancy were having a yard sale. I admired this large, artsy ceramic pinecone Alice was selling. I guess it never sold, because the next day it appeared on my front porch. Alice, I cherish it. — Jen Heisler
Alice Bumbera was the face, the laugh and the heart of Crosswicks. Her spirit, enthusiasm and dedication knew no bounds. I am honored to have called her my friend. — Linda A. Osman
Alice was the heart and soul of Crosswicks. She was the first person to welcome most of us to this special place. In my case it was with Superbowl Sunday Soup placed on our front porch with a note stating simply, "Welcome to Crosswicks! From Alice the Librarian." Little did I know at the time that she would become so much more to me…she was a substitute grandmother to my children on Grandparents Day in elementary school, my inspiration and support when I faced breast cancer and always the best witch of us all! I love you Alice and will always treasure our special friendship. To me, you are and always will be Crosswicks. — Debbie Kelly
Dearest, fun loving, Alice, we will miss you. We will miss your humorous joking way and your fun loving outlook on life. We will miss your sound advice and strong colorful opinions on things. Oh, we can’t forget your crazy socks! We are thankful for your dedication to our library and for all the years you served the Crosswicks/Chesterfield community. — Joann Heath
In coming to grips with the recent loss of our dear friend a clear theme emerged that without Alice we would not have each other. To those who pass through Crosswicks, the library is simply one of many Norman Rockwell like structures that litter our beautiful town, but to those who stop and visit, even if only for a short while, discover that the bucolic outside pales in comparison to the personality and dynamism that exists within. You may not always have had the opportunity to meet Alice in person, instead it might be Sue, Claire or Nancy or Sara that greeted you, but regardless of the face within, the soul of the place was all Alice. She had the knack that all memorable people possess to make someone’s day special, leave an impression or plant an idea that lasts. She also had the knack of making a place feel special. For so many it was this day to day, week to week and year to year fact that made the library such an important part of a weekly ritual. For us, the board, Alice was the woman who brought us all together and challenged us to serve the community she so loved. Without Alice, we would not be here now, charged with the responsibility of carrying on her legacy. So we ask ourselves, how will we go on without Alice? In reflecting and searching we discovered these wise words. Memory can only tell us what we were, in the company of those we loved; it cannot help us find what each of us, alone, must now become. Yet no person is really alone; those who live no more echo still within our thoughts and words, and what they did has become woven into what we are. Alice, your company made us all better and more whole. We will miss you, but we will not forget what you helped us remember. You will always echo in our thoughts and our words those important aspects of community and commitment for which you lived and loved. What you did and what you were are now woven into who we are. Rest in peace, dear Alice. — The Crosswicks Library Board of Trustees.
Alice saw all, heard all and cared for all. — The Caldwell Family
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