Miriam Alexis

If you were to venture into Miriam Alexis’ home in the last weeks of her life, you wouldn’t be alone. A constant stream of well - wishers visited her bright home, the phone was constantly ringing, people wanted to be there. And if it happened to be cocktail time, she had everyone’s favorites ready to pour.

For that was the essence of Miriam Lee Alexis – Born Miriam Slocum on June 4th, 1933, the daughter of the late Barton and Margaret Slocum, Miriam cultivated friendships throughout her life. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania’s Bradford School of Nursing, Miriam began an accomplished nursing career that spanned 43 years, taking her from the operating rooms of Potsdam, NY and Chambersburg, PA to retirement from Quincy Nursing Home in 1996. Miriam’s expertise, long hours and care for others extended beyond her patients. Whether helping friends following surgery, driving someone to the doctor, or adding light to a dark situation - she was there, offering comfort and a smile.

Miriam thrived on knowing people, young and old. She took great delight in her grandchildren, knew their friends by name, kept up with their hip fashion trends and thought nothing of hopping in a car and traveling hours to cheer them on at a talent show, celebrate a graduation, or help them through life’s challenges. A study in contrasts, Miriam’s life included competitive go-cart racing and roller skating in her youth, while later introducing her soft spoken husband Bill to the art of square dancing, bowling, fishing and pinochle. Sharp, intuitive and candid, you knew Miriam’s thoughts on life, and at the same time she was always, always there for you. Miriam loved golf, cards, and competition - she was fearless and ready for adventure of any kind – but she was the glue that held people together, whether it was weekly dinners at Frank's, rounds of golf, or accompanying her daughter to Munich on a business trip, she understood the essence of who you were, and made life better by being a part of it.

Miriam lived life as she left it – on her own terms, in the peace of the early spring morning at home on Friday, April 14th surrounded by family. She was 83.

Miriam is survived by two children, Kathryn Brewer and husband Terry of Friendship, NY and Lynn Alexis Knieriem and husband John of Bethesda, MD; six grandchildren, Nathaniel Shick (wife Anne), Amanda Shick, Joshua Tambash (wife Stacey), Alexis Hanford, Haley Hanford, and Kylie Knieriem; six great – grandchildren; and a daughter-in-law, Joanne Shick of St. Leonard, MD. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Kenneth Alexis in 2000, a son, Bruce Shick in 2013, and three siblings.
“Errands can wait, we have a gathering we have to attend!” was Miriam’s philosophy. Miriam’s final art of gathering friends will be one in celebration of her life, held on Tuesday, April 18th, 2017 at 1 PM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 44 East Main St., Fayetteville, PA 17222. Pastor Eloise Shanley will officiate, and the family will welcome friends beginning at noon.

Arrangements are made by Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Chambersburg, PA. If desired, memorial contributions may be made in her name to SpiriTrust Lutheran Home Care and Hospice www.spiritrustlutheranhomecare.org or Children’s National Health System childrensnational.org.