Alice L. Carmody

Alice Carmody, 94, of Scarborough, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday evening, March 28. Alice was a lifelong Portland-area resident who was known for her cheerful laugh and sharp wit. Alice was born on Jan. 11, 1923, at Ft. Preble in South Portland, the fourth of seven children born to Master Sgt. Arthur Howland Leavitt and Daisy Spear Leavitt. The family soon relocated to Ft. Williams in Cape Elizabeth, living for many years in the iconic Goddard Mansion, which served as military housing at the time. They eventually moved to Spurwink Avenue; after Alices mother died at a young age, she stepped in to help raise her siblings. Alice attended Cape Elizabeth High School, where she was an enthusiastic student and salutatorian of her senior class. Following graduation, she worked as a secretary at Bell Telephone in Portland. In 1944, she married Thomas J. Carmody Sr., who was serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. Tom would eventually join the South Portland Police Department, where he worked for decades as a beloved community figure. After marriage, Alices primary focus became raising her six, lively childrenfive of whom had red hair like her own. The family lived for many years on Latham Street and later at Willard Beach in South Portland. Alices sister, Louise, or Weeze, often helped Alice take care of the children; the two maintained a special relationship and never lived far from one another throughout their lives. In addition to raising her large family, Alice worked as a seamstress for the Dorothy Mason School of Dance and made hundreds of gorgeous costumes, many of which hung in various stages of completion in the kitchen and dining room. In the 1960s, Alice and her husband owned and operated The Dory, a popular food stand on Willard Beach, where she was fondly known as Mrs. C. The children were her star employees, serving seaside specialties like fried clams and steamed hot dogs. Once The Dory closed, Alice became a nurses aide and then a unit clerk at Maine Medical Center; she also taught at Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute. Many of her former students recall her assertive nature and high standards. Alice loved her community and was an active volunteer, serving as a foster grandmother at local elementary schools; acting as a leader for both the Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts; working as a literacy volunteer at various schools; making dolls by hand for her churchs Christmas fair; and knitting mittens for needy children. Alice was always ready to help at any time. In 1952, she famously made a daring rescue of two young boys who were floating on a refrigerator box raft and had fallen into a quarry behind her home in South Portland. Without any regard for her own safetyand pregnant at the timeshe heard their cries and dove into the water to save them from drowning. This feat earned her a trip to New York City, where she was honored for her bravery on the game show, Queen for a Day. The incident also is recounted in an American heroes-themed comic book. While Alice was an energetic force in her community, in her quiet moments, she spent time honing her skills as a multitalented artist. In addition to being a masterful seamstress, she played the organ and piano and enjoyed experimenting with ceramics and other crafts. But her primary passion and talent was oil painting. She created nearly 60 pieces of art that are now the prized possessions of her children and grandchildren. Her favorite subjects were the Maine coast and New England countryside. Beyond her passion for art, Alice was an avid reader. She also loved playing cribbage with her family membersalthough her shuffling techniques were questionable. She was a fiery Democrat who was never afraid to mince words about politicians she didnt like. In her later years, she enjoyed cheering on the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots, including her darling Tom Brady. Alice was predeceased by her beloved husband of 54 years and her six siblings: Eugene, Harriet, Louise, Marshall, Sara, and Cornelia. She is survived by her six children, David Carmody and his wife, Beth, of Scarborough; Margaret Carmody of South Portland; Stephen Carmody of Waterville; Elizabeth Lemiska and her husband, Brian, of Kensington, CT; Thomas J. Carmody Jr. and his wife, Kim, of Wilkes-Barre, PA; and Maureen Parker and her husband, Denis, of Duncanville, TX; as well as 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was the matriarch of her family and will be incredibly missed by all those who knew her. Her family wishes to acknowledge the loving, compassionate care provided by the staff at Seaside Rehabilitation Center, especially through her final days. Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, April 5 from 4 to 6 pm at Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home at 10:15am on Thursday, April 6 followed by a 11am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Rd, Scarborough. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. To view Alices memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Alices memory to: American Cancer Society, Inc., New England Division, One Bowdoin Mill Island Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086 or Literacy Volunteers Greater Portland, c/o Learning Works, 181 Bracket Street, Portland, ME 04102.