Alice Tibbetts

Madison - Alice Horton Tibbetts died at home in Madison on December 27, 2016 at the age of 92. Alice Horton was born May 19, 1924, in Middletown, Connecticut to the Reverend Douglas Horton and Carol Williams Horton. The Horton family moved to Brooklyn, Massachusetts for 6 years, then to Chicago for 8 years. Alice spent many of her school years in Chicago, attending first the Kenwood School and then the University Elementary and University High Schools. Then for three years, beginning in 1938, she attended the Putney School in Vermont while her parents travelled around the world to visit Congregational missions and attend an Ecumenical Christian Conference in Madras, India. The Horton family moved to New York City and Alice attended Wellesley College, graduating in 1945. During her college years, she was active in youth and student movements during the war, and served as President of the United States Student Assembly. Alice attended a World Youth Conference in London in the fall of 1945, and a student conference in Prague. She was invited with the rest of the American Delegation to visit the Soviet Union for six weeks during the winter of 1945-46. This marked the beginning of the United States Student Association which is still in existence on many college campuses. Alice married Norris Tibbetts, Jr. in August of 1947. Alice and Norris lived a short time in Allentown, PA, then 5 years in Danville, Virginia where Norris was Educational Director for the Joint Board of the Textile Workers' Union, CIO. In 1953, they moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where Norris taught at The School for Workers, University of Wisconsin Extension. From 1967 to 1987, Alice taught grade school at Muir Elementary in Madison. She was active after retirement in various volunteer jobs connected with First Congregational Church UCC and with the Madison School System. Alice enjoyed the Tuesday Morning Book Group with the University of Wisconsin Extension. She enjoyed singing and played the mandolin and the bass fiddle with informal gatherings of friends and family. Alice and Norris spent summers in Randolph, New Hampshire, a family summer location since the 1930's. Alice and Norris had four children, Mary, Ellen, Steve and Dorothy; a foster daughter, Prudence; and five grandchildren. A memorial service, with reception to follow, will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. at OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY WOODS, 6205 Mineral Point Road. Enter via Heritage entrance and proceed to Resurrection Chapel. All are welcome to attend. Memorial gifts may be made to The University of Wisconsin Odyssey Project or to a charity of your choice.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434