Obituary of Alice Virginia Washburn

Alice Virginia Fram Washburn was born on November 11, 1929, Armistice Day (later renamed Veterans Day) in Tolleson, Arizona to Robert Ray Fram and Edwina Artna Fram. They purchased a piece of property in the Phoenix Valley in the early 1900s. Her mother was born in Greensburg, Kansas. Her father was born in Mowhawk Corners, Missouri and fought in the trenches of France in WWI. As farmers her dad built an airport on the property for crop dusting and general aviation. During WWII, pilots from Luke AFB would drop by and visit. Alice had two siblings, both older, Katherine (Kay) and Bob. Kay married one of those pilots, Bill Bacon. Bob went and homesteaded property in Yuma and, with three other hearty farmers, started the citrus industry there. Her dad taught Alice to fly until they had mechanical problems one day and landed nose down in a strawberry field; Alice's mother insisted. Both her brother and sister graduated from Tempe Normal (later ASU) whereas Alice attended the University of Arizona, a familial point of contention to this day. Alice was introduced to Charles at an event at First Church by Byron Haines. By was later the second best man at Charles and Alice's wedding on March 21, 1951. Alice became a teacher and taught at Pueblo Gardens until Steven was born in 1952. Scott came along in 1955 and then Alice went back to teaching. She taught pre-school at Happy Trails at St. James Methodist Church. Stuart was born in 1962 and Alice continued to teach until the 1970s. Alice and Charles were members of First Church United Methodist and became charter members of Christ Church United Methodist when it was built less than half a mile from their home. They have been very active in the church ever since. Once she started having grandchildren, she would often have as many as eight to ten of them spend the weekend and herd them off to Sunday school. She loved having all of the kids around. Alice's volunteerism extended to cleaning, mending and packing books for the Friends of the Library, which she helped found. She also worked tirelessly at the CCUM Food Bank Outlet. Her wish was to always take care of everyone else. Often she was one of the last to leave any event as she wanted to make sure that everything was done and that everyone had been taken care of. Survived by Charles, husband of 65 yrs, sons Steve (Iris), Scott (Melinda), and Stuart (Sue). She had 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Tucson Community Food Bank or the Friends of the Pima County Public Library. Visitation at Adair Funeral Home, 1050 N Dodge, on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 from 4pm to 7pm. Memorial Service at Christ Church United Methodist, 655 N Craycroft, on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 2pm.