January 10, 1927 – December 9, 2020
Alice R. (Reardon) Modica of Wakefield, formerly of Reading and North Reading, passed away on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital. She was 93 years of age.
Born on January 10, 1927, in Wakefield, Alice is the loving daughter of the late Daniel Reardon and Gladys (Surette) Reardon; is the beloved wife of Michael Modica and sister to the late Elinor Biddiscombe. She is the devoted mother of Ellen J. Howland and her husband Ron Howland, Beth A. Modica and her husband David Hickernell, and Michael T. Modica. She is also survived by three grandchildren: Justin Howland (Nemessis), Ben Howland (Lauren), and Andrew Hickernell (Felicia); five great-grandchildren (Joey, Evan Aaliyah, Sophia, and Audrey); and several nieces and nephews.
Alice graduated from Reading High School, and, in addition to raising her three children, went on to a long career as an executive secretary. Alice was always fearless to take on new challenges and experiences, even in her later years, whether it was horseback riding in the Cascades, helmet diving in Bermuda, or sliding down a mountain in New Hampshire with her grandsons. One of her fondest memories was traveling to Scotland for grandson Ben’s college graduation and tirelessly hiking through several Scottish cities. Alice was eighty at the time and amazed all of us with her stamina. She was an avid tournament bridge player, a volunteer at the Winchester Hospital, and an active member and volunteer of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reading. She and Mike were fortunate to enjoy a long retirement filled with travel, family, and many friends.
At the request of Alice’s family, all funeral services are private. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.
