Alice Ruth Pritchard, age 73, Independence, Mo., passed away June 16, 2011, at home with her family beside her. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 23, at Mt. Washington Cemetery. Visitation was held June 21 followed by a service in her honor. The family requests any contributions be made to Mt. Washington Cemetery in the form of flower arrangements.

Alice was born Aug. 7, 1937, in Marcelline, Mo., to Joseph and Elizabeth Manewal. She married the love of her life on Dec. 23, 1954, in Corinth, Miss. She lived most of her life in Kansas City, Mo., where she worked as a waitress for 27 years at Waid’s Restaurant on Winner Road while caring for her husband, eight children, and anyone who was lucky enough to meet her.

NO ONE was excluded from her unconditional love. Her happiest moments were spent surrounded by her children and extended family. She was welcomed into Heaven by her parents, husband Ray, one daughter Brenda and many loved ones.

She will be greatly missed by her older (but youngest) brother Roy, her sister Mary, her children Darold Pritchard of Raytown, Mo., Rayetta Higginbothem of Fairplay, Mo., Micheal Pritchard of Independence, Sonja O’Neal of Fulton, Mo., Janet Pritchard of Independence, Deborah Noble of Kansas City, Mo., and Ruth Trecazzi of Independence, 41 grandchildren and 81 great-grandchildren.