Surrounded by family and friends, Alice Fleece Handelman passed away Sunday, April 1, 2018 due to complications from liver disease in combination with an unfortunate fall in January.

Alice was born in Great Neck, New York to Evelyn and Charles Fleece on May 1, 1948. After her time in New York, she lived in Newport Beach, Rhode Island, Washington DC, and the Virgin Islands before settling in California in 1976. She met and married the love of her life, Ira Handelman, in Los Angeles July 8, 1979. Their two adoring children, Ariel and Sammy, brought Alice constant pride and joy.

Having earned a degree in early childhood development from Emerson College in Boston, Alice first taught kindergarten. She adored children and took pride in shaping their futures. She also had a stint as a fashion model that was reflected in her taste in clothes and her extraordinary sense of style. Her grace, along with a child-like enthusiasm for life, made her both alluring and charming.

But if you asked Alice, her legacy and most passionate pursuit was her effort in addressing inclusion and acceptance for people with special needs, especially new mothers who needed support, companionship, and community. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 18 and became an activist using relatable methods to teach, open, and shape minds. Alice introduced the Kids on the Block program to Los Angeles Jewish day schools and presented stories and situations through life-sized puppets of children with varying disabilities. The puppets and Alice entertained and charmed children while teaching them how to look beyond physical differences to see the beauty in each other.

Alice’s personal passions included travel and time with friends and family—always accompanied with laughter. Her inherent humor, kindness, warmth, and genuine spirit collected friends and admirers at every turn. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her, and her spirit will serve as a loving inspiration to us all.

Alice is survived by her husband, Ira, and children, Ariel (36) and Sammy (27). A memorial service will take place Wednesday, April 4 at 3pm at Mount Sinai Simi Valley. Donations to the Providence Tarzana Foundation are requested in lieu of flowers