Sister Alice (Mary Alice) Matthews, age 92, died at Villa St. Michael in Emmitsburg, Maryland on October 24, 2026. She was born February 3, 1934, in Washington, D.C. to Marian Virginia (Steadman) and George Edward Matthews. Before entering the Community, Sister Alice was a member of St. Peter’s Parish in Washington, D.C. In 1951, she graduated from Immaculate Conception Academy in Washington, D.C. and entered the Daughters of Charity on December 30, 1951. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1963 from St. Joseph College in Emmitsburg and her Master of Arts for Teachers of English in 1972 from Trinity College in Washington, D.C.
Following initial formation and studies at St. Joseph College, Emmitsburg, Sister Alice was missioned to teach at St. Michael School in Baltimore (1953-1959). Several other teaching missions followed: Nazareth Home in Boston, Massachusetts (1959-1963); St. Charles School in Pikesville, Maryland (1963-1967); Bishop England High School in Charleston, South Carolina (1967-1972 and 1981-1986); and Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg, Maryland (1972-1981). Sister Alice served at Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C. in the Admitting Office (1986-1991) and in Quality Assurance (1991-1993).
Her next mission took her back to Elizabeth Seton High School where she was Director of the Alumnae (1993-1995). From there, Sister Alice went to St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore as a Lifeline Coordinator (1995-1998). Her next mission was to St. Joseph’s Provincial House in Emmitsburg where she served in a variety of positions: Adams County Literacy Center, Seton Shrine Gift Shop Manager, and Sacristan in the Mary Chapel.
In 2003, Sister Alice was sent to St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Jacksonville, Florida to serve in the Vincentian Outreach Center. After 6 years, she then returned again to Elizabeth Seton High School, Bladensburg as an English Teacher and as a tutor in the Prince Georges County Literacy Center. In 2012, Sister Alice was missioned to Bethany Community at St. Joseph’s House in Emmitsburg where she was a tutor with the Literacy Council of Frederick County. In 2016, Sister Alice was missioned to Villa St. Michael to serve in the Ministry of Prayer, a ministry she held until her death.
Sister Alice was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her beloved brother, Charles “Charley” Clayton Matthews, nieces and nephews, and her Sisters in community.
A wake service was held on Friday, October 30, in the Villa Chapel in Emmitsburg. The Mass of Christian Burial was held in the Villa Chapel on October 31. Burial followed in St. Joseph’s Cemetery on the grounds.