Alice Theresa Szymczak, 71, of Wilkes-Barre, PA, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2017 at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA.

Alice was born in Wilkes-Barre to John C. McKeown of the East End Section of Wilkes-Barre and the late Margaret “Peg” (Watkins) McKeown on April 6, 1946.

She was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School, Class of 1964 and went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Bloomsburg State College in 1968 and a Masters’ Degree in Exceptional Persons (Special Education) from Bloomsburg University in 1981. She was married to Edward J. Szymczak in 1968. She was an Elementary Teacher for most of her career, most known for teaching First Grade at St. Columba Catholic School in Bloomsburg, PA. She was a compassionate person, finding purpose in devoting her life to caregiving for her children, grandchildren, and her parents.

In addition to her mother Peg, Alice was preceded in death by her brother, Mark McKeown.

Surviving in addition to her father John are her three daughters Lisa Seibert of Bloomsburg, PA; Kathy Szymczak of Durham, CT; and daughter Leanne (Christine) Szymczak of Los Angeles, CA; and four grandchildren Thomas, Michael, John and Deven; brother John (Rosemarie) McKeown Jr. of Fredericksburg, VA; sister Kathryn (Frank) Hummel of Wilkes-Barre, PA; brother Michael (Cheryl) McKeown of Ramsey, NJ; sister Mary (Dave) Foose of Wilke-Barre, PA.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, July 29, 2017 at 10:0 am in St. Andrew Parish, 316 Parrish Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702, with Father Joseph A. Kearney, officiating. Entombment will be held in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hanover, PA. Arrangements by the Corcoran Funeral Home, Inc., 20 South Main Street, Plains, PA 18705.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent De Paul Kitchen, 39 East Jackson St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Geisinger Medical Center for their support in her final days.