Alice Katherine Gavette

ALICE KATHERINE (SWEENY) GAVETTE entered into heaven on May 29th in Penngrove, CA surrounded by her loving children. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great, great grandmother. Words cannot describe what a sweet and wonderful person she was. With her understanding and love she kept everyone happy. She married the love of her life, Charles M. Gavette on August 8, 1941 and was married for 71 blissful years until Charlie passed away on November 1, 2012. Tiny Alice and Charming Charlie were an inseparable couple. Alice never got over his passing. Alice was the dearly beloved mother of six children: Ron Gavette & Kay of Winchester, VA, 3 grandchildren; Linda Bjerre & Bill of Mendocino, CA, 1 grandchild; Tom Gavette & Linda of Petaluma, 2 grandchildren; Gerry Gavette & Kim of Napa, CA, 3 grandchildren; Janell Routley & Rick of Penngrove, CA, 2 grandchildren; and Charleen Gavette of Rohnert Park, CA. Alice is also survived by her sister Constance Litcher and Walter Sweeny. She has 15 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild. Alice Sweeny was born in San Mateo, CA in 1920 but her family soon moved to Needles, CA where she spent her childhood. Alice loved school and gained a passion for reading. She graduated from Needles High School, where she participated in many activities, in 1938. After school she began helping in the family store, Sweeny's Emporium. After the family moved back to the Bay Area Alice got a job at a creamery and met Charlie. They married shortly before he was shipped out for WW II. During this time Alice worked in a radio tube factory helping out the war effort. Alice and Charlie lived in many cities and had a very interesting life. They lived in San Mateo, San Carlos, Quincy, CA, Larkspur, CA, Alturas, CA, and Sonoma. While living in Quincy in the early 1960's they owned the Cedar Tavern, a restaurant, bar, and rental cabins. Alice proved to be an understanding bartender and everyone loved her. During this time she was also raising 6 children. She was remarkable. Alice and Charlie moved to Marin County in 1965 and she became manager and accountant of Charlie's newly purchased machine shop as well as continuing to raise the children. She worked very hard throughout her life and always had a smile on her face. She was beautiful inside and out! Alice was also involved with the community oriented Lions Club and was president of the Alturas and Sonoma Mission Lions Clubs. She and Charlie also helped to found a food bank in Alturas. She always helped everyone. Friends and family are invited to attend the Rosary on Sunday, June 2, 2013 at 5:00 PM at the PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY & CREMATORY, 850 Keokuk St., Petaluma. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 3, 2013 at 10:00 AM at St. James Catholic Church, 125 Sonoma Mountain Pkwy., Petaluma. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Lyon Ranch Therapy Animals (lyonranch.org or Lyon Ranch Therapy Animals, 19221 Lyon Ranch Road, Sonoma, CA 95476). Words cannot express the gratitude the family has for Sheila. The family also wishes to thank Hospice of Petaluma.