Welland woman killed in crash touched many lives
She was always smiling, had friends everywhere she went and knew how to have fun.
That’s how Alice Neville is described by her husband, two children and two stepchildren.
“She was a butterfly,” her daughter Patricia Neville said. “A social butterfly.”
Her stepson Joe Neville said she always found a way to connect with people she met. Because of that, the Welland woman knew many people.
Alice died in a two-vehicle collision last Monday at Canal Bank Street and Townline Tunnel Road. She was 59.
Her family has nothing but good memories of her, and say they have received an overwhelming amount of love and support from the community following the tragedy.
I knew she had friends, but I didn’t know she had that many,” said Judson Neville, who was both Alice’s husband and her best friend.
Alice, originally from Cape Breton Island, NS, was a veteran, wife, sister, mother and grandmother to eight.
She was a security guard at Convergy’s, a Tim Hortons regular and someone who had a youthful zest about her. Joe said whenever there was something the kids were doing, she wanted to be a part of it. She even got into playing the mobile game Pokemon Go because of a neighbourhood girl.
Alice was no stranger to pranks with her kids and loved cruising around town on her scooter. Patricia has videos of she and her mom on the scooter and both have the biggest grins as they’re going down the street.
Even though she rode a scooter, Joe said she would take part in Friday the 13th traditions with motorcyclists. She may not have ridden a motorcycle, but he said she was well respected in that community, too.
On the more serious side of things, she knew how to help people she loved get through tough stuff and was always there for them.
“She became my back,” Judson said tearfully. “She covered my back and I covered hers.”
The couple was married for 35 years, and lived together for 37. He described their relationship as loving and said they knew how to work through problems without fighting.
Alice was a big fan of taking photos. A plethora of photos of the pair of them together is a testament to their love.
Son Steven Neville said there was a time when he was going through a really rough patch and he wasn’t sure how he was going to get through it. It was his mom’s encouraging words that helped him.
He said he doesn’t think she knew how much she touched people’s lives. Judson said it was because she never asked for anything in return; she just gave and helped where she could.
The family have already had a private viewing and that was all that was originally in the plans. After seeing the outpouring of support online and in person, however, they are also having a service for the public.
Judson said that’s not what she wanted, but that’s what she’s getting. Considering how many friends she had, they thought it appropriate.
The viewing is Tuesday at Pleasantview Funeral Home in Welland at noon. A celebration of Alice’s life will follow at 2 p.m. in the Pleasantview chapel.
Donations can be made to The Hope Centre in Welland in her memory.