Alice Joann Rush

Born Alice Joann Rush on June 27,1955, she passed away on August 7, 2026 from peripheral artery disease she had had for several years. Her parents were Frances Leon Rush and Marie

Burda. She grew up in Mundelein, Illinois with two older sisters, Joyce and Roz. The whole family loved animals, and her sister remembers, “We always had a dog, a parakeet, a cat, a fish and a turtle.” Their mother even trained animals, so that one Pekingese learned to sit up and play pat-a-cake! As a child, Alice loved to pretend she was a cowgirl, and her own outfit helped her act it out. She made her sisters laugh.

In high school she was a cheerleader and active in sports, esp. Gymnastics. As a sophomore she took her 1st year of Drama, and performed many backstage duties for their productions.

She also stepped up that year for a role in the community theatre group,”The Kirk Players”, who described her as “a sweet, dedicated young lady”. Alice was a member of the Forensics team and enjoyed many good friendships in high school. Another event in the community was the Buckingham Art Fair, in which she entered as a senior. and won in the sculpture category along with others.

Alice attended Western Illinois University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Special K-12 teaching.

She also studied art. After graduation she headed West to Seattle, and pursued different occupations involving art, finding time to produce beautiful artwork of her own. One job, perhaps the longest, was in an art framing store.

As life progressed several health issues emerged: diabetes,when she was only 35; coronary artery bypass graft at 56; she became disabled that year, and within two years had significantly impaired vision. She struggled with depression at times. When she became homeless for two years, there was still the companionship of a close friend.

She became a member of University Presbyterian Church in 2023, and eagerly dove into small group study with the Immerse Bible on Sundays. Thursdays she counted on Community Bible Study, going as faithfully as she could. If you looked at the tabbed places in her Bible, they would indicate she was serious about following Jesus Christ. She often spoke of Him as her own “Good Shepherd”.

Alice is survived by her two sisters, Joyce Klemm and Rosalyn Hayes, both in Illinois, several cousins, and a number of dear friends at Bible studies and church who were like family to her.

A memorial service was held at her church in Seattle on Sept.24.

If anyone wishes to make a gift in her memory, the two places she supported were her church and any animal rescue organization.