Alice Smith, age 80, passed away on December 24, 2021 while surrounded by family at the SECU Hospice House of Brunswick.
Alice was born on February 22, 1941, to James Rigbye and Jane Welch Rigbye, in Mawdesley, Lancashire, England.
Born during the second World War, she left school at 15 to work in a local factory, before training and working as a nurse in England. She then embarked on a journey to America as a governess in New Jersey, where she met her first husband and had two children. She also attended art school and became an artist/graphic designer for the remainder of her career. After retiring, she and her new husband, David retired to Wilmington, NC to enjoy their new life together.
She had a passion for arts and crafts, and enjoyed many hobbies, most recently her love of diamond paintings.
In addition to her parents, Alice was preceded in death by her twin brothers, Daniel Rigbye and William Rigbye.
She leaves behind to cherish her memories her husband of 16 years: David Smith; one sister, Maureen Dunleavy, and husband Harry of Blackburn, England; one son, Frank Ferrer; one daughter, Margaret Tresca and husband Vincent; her furbaby Smudge; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation for family and friends will be held at the Village Road Chapel 525 Village Road, Leland NC on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. with a service to follow at 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401 or at https://lifecare.org/donate.
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Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington NC 28403
910.791.9099
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