Alice Jerscheid Lerro

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Alice J. Lerro, who passed away peacefully on September 10, 2025, at the age of 92.

Born in Sellersville, PA, on July 17, 1933, Alice was the only child of Hedwig Lizette (née Stahle) and Charles W. Jerscheid. She was lovingly raised by her grandmother and uncles in a beautiful farmhouse in Montgomery Township and cherished the weekend adventures she shared with her mother. Their guidance and devotion helped shape the compassionate and gracious person she grew to be.

Alice attended Lansdale High School, where a simple moment at the classroom pencil sharpener in 9th grade led her to meet her sweetheart and soulmate, Francis Lerro. In 1955, they married and began building their life together, laying the foundation for a home filled with love, laughter, and joy. Francis and Alice would later purchase a piece of ground that was part of her grandmother’s farmstead where they built a home and raised their children. She was not only a deeply devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, but the quiet and constant heartbeat of her family. She created a warm and welcoming home where holidays felt magical, traditions were cherished, and treasured memories were made.

Throughout her life, Alice faced challenges with extraordinary strength and determination, inspiring everyone who knew her with her courage, grace, and steadfast spirit. After graduating from Harcum Jr. College with an Associate’s degree in Fashion Merchandising, Alice began her career at Wanamaker’s in Philadelphia, helping launch several of its first regional stores. She later paused her career to raise her children before joining Beaver College (now Arcadia University) where she would become Continuing Education Coordinator. There, she pursued her love of learning, earning a degree in history and graduating Summa Cum Laude at 57. She was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Alpha Theta, and Lambda Delta Alpha, and received both the Ira R. Kraybill Award and the History Distinguished Achievement Award. True to her passion for knowledge, Alice continued taking non-credit classes at various universities until the age of 88.

She took great joy in sharing her love of books, history, the performing arts, and her many adventures exploring Philadelphia, as well as in celebrating the quiet beauty of nature. Two of her simple pleasures were taking daily walks in the woods and sipping her morning tea while watching the birds - peaceful rituals she spoke of with fondness.

Alice always welcomed everyone with a warm smile and an open heart, treasured her friendships, and was always ready to truly listen — a quality we all deeply admired and loved about her. She forever will be remembered for her gentle spirit and her gift for inspiring curiosity and appreciation in those around her. Her life stands as a lasting testament to finding joy in life’s simple, everyday moments — a belief beautifully reflected in the many gratitude journals she leaves behind. She will be deeply missed.

Preceded in death by her husband, Francis, Alice is survived by her three children: Linda Kapralick (Joseph Jr.), Joseph (Denise), and James (Denyce). She was also the proud grandmother of Kaitlyn, Elizabeth, and Jack, who lovingly knew her as “Grammy.”

Relatives and friends may join us to celebrate her life on Friday, October 3rd between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM with a short service at 12:15, at the Wayside Chapel at Whitemarsh Memorial Park: 1169 Limekiln Pike, Ambler, PA 19002.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made in Alice’s memory to The Nature Conservancy or the Bucks County Free Library in Doylestown.