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Honoring Alice Waco - 
Angel of Peace and Warrior for Justice

Alice was a vital part of the Peace & Justice community and a founder of the center. She died on Sunday, June 29th. She had a stroke several days before and passed peacefully after recently celebrating her 94th birthday. She remained sharp and present up until the stroke. The following was written based on recent comments from friends about her life and the impact she had on all of us.

Alice was like a beacon, a presence that inspired trust, laughter, and deep respect. She lived with intention, holding space for others and showing us how to live with purpose. Alice could see clearly, and she walked her talk, always showing up to help. Her heart was vast, her actions brave. Speaking truthfully and maintaining a fierce commitment to justice, she advocated for what was just and right. Alice made the world better simply by being here and made us all want to be better humans. To those of us who were lucky enough to work beside Alice, we will miss her, and our hearts are broken; the sadness is part of the imprint of her absence.

Alice’s smile was radiant, and her eyes could sparkle with ideas and mischief. Alice wasn’t one to sugarcoat things, and she certainly wouldn't want to be remembered with syrupy clichés. Her practicality was refreshing. When talking about death, she could laugh about the irony of her new teeth and joke about “getting the hell out of here.” Yet behind the wit was a powerful awareness of what mattered—people, community, truth, and love.

She had a personal spark and light that reflected her generosity, compassion, and groundedness. She shared her insights and wisdom as a good friend and wise elder. In her final days, she continued to cause ‘Good Trouble’. That’s who she was—fully herself, even when life threw curveballs. Her presence was always a benefit in every meeting, training, demonstration, or potluck, and her absence feels palpable.

It isn’t easy to imagine the Peace & Justice Center without her, yet her essence remains vibrant in all of us who carry her lessons forward. Her departure is indeed an Elegant Exit. Alice led not with words but with examples. She’s a brilliant star guiding us forward, living through us and our memories of everything she was: committed, courageous, thoughtful, humorous, generous of spirit, and so much more.

Now we will start asking the trademark question, “What would Alice do?”—not as a tagline, but as a real guidepost. Her legacy is personal and collective. She helped us imagine a better world and nudged us toward it. That’s what great souls do. So yes, we miss her. We always will.  In every act of love, truth, and justice, we carry her intentions forward.

Built with the words of fellow activist friends by Robin Latham

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​Alice's Memorial is Sunday, September 21, 1:00 pm
at Christ Church United Methodist
1717 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa.

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