Obituary of Alyce Strapec

Alyce Jane (Suk) Strapec

Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother

Alyce Jane (Suk) Strapec passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on January 22, 2022, surrounded by her family.

Alyce was born on April 10, 1935, on a snowy spring morning in Dover, New Jersey. She was born to the late Alice Hosking and Louis Suk of the Suk Estate Farms in the Tourne Valley of Denville, New Jersey. She lived in the estate’s farm house for most of her life. Alyce was a lifelong member of the Denville Methodist Church where she, and in later years, her children all sang in the church choir. In the late 1980’s, Alyce and her husband moved to Wooddale, Pennsylvania.

Growing up in Denville, Alyce attended the local schools and loved learning from an early age. She was an avid reader and true bibliophile—from learning textbook materials cover-to-cover to dominating the family scrabble board for decades. After her children were grown, she completed an associate's degree at County College of Morris and went on to earn a double bachelor’s degree at Montclair State University (MSU) in Psychology and Anthropology with a 3.99 GPA (summa cum laude), earning the prestigious “Alpenfels Award” for Distinguished Achievement in the field. She combined her passion for learning with her love of history when she became the Assistant Director at the Museum of Early Crafts and Trades in Madison, New Jersey.  Alyce rode the train to and from the museum every day, enjoying crossword puzzles along the way. After relocating to Pennsylvania, she joined the Friends of the Library in East Stroudsburg and became their Treasurer, helping to organize book drives and other community events. But she did not stop at English. Alyce also loved French and studied the language both at MSU and East Stroudsburg University, auditing classes and bringing her grandchildren with her, too.

Alyce met the love of her life during her high school years, Joseph “Bud” Strapec, at a local dance hall in Boonton. They married in 1952 and started their family in 1953, welcoming five children into their lives over the years — Margie, Cynthia, Ty, Judy, and Lee-Anne, all of whom grew up in Denville. Family was everything to Alyce, and she built a home filled with love, laughter, and delicious food. Everyone was always welcome in the Strapec household. Alyce loved cooking and baking, compiling hundreds of handwritten recipes over the years (with helpful notations) and so thoughtfully taught all of her children and grandchildren how to make the special ones. Combining her love of learning and music, Alyce taught herself how to play piano; music and laughter could be heard throughout the Strapec home from sunrise to sunset. And then Wheel of Fortune came on.

Alyce’s hobbies also brought her great joy. Gardening was a passion of hers, enjoying all flowers, especially peonies and red tulips. Her grandmother’s lilac bush, rose bush and puddingstones are her treasures, carefully placed throughout her yard. A 35mm camera lived in her purse to capture whatever moment warranted capturing. The beach was her happy place, enjoying both family vacations and day trips at the Jersey Shore. And cats. How she loved her cats.

Alyce loved life and brought joy and inspiration to everyone she met. To say she will be missed is an understatement – she will live in our hearts eternally, and we will tell stories of her with joy, love, and admiration. Au revoir, Alyce. Until we meet again.

Alyce now joins her late husband of 64 years in heaven. She leaves the happiest of memories to her beloved family – children Margie Moschella, Cynthia Strapec, Ty (Amy) Strapec, Judy Quackenbush, Lee-Anne (Marty) Prutzman, and Robin Henry; grandchildren Jennifer (Christian), Jason (Lindsey), Jane (Brian), Madison (Joey), Danielle (Ryan), Jake, and Andy; great-grandchildren Nathan, Sophia, Adelaide, Emery, Sloane, Lily, Olivia, and Arlo, and many more dear relatives and special friends.

A private service was held for the immediate family.  A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date for all friends and family to join. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Alyce’s honor to the Denville Historical Society, your local library, or local animal shelter.