Alice J. (Walsh) Twohig

Alice Josephine (Walsh) Twohig, 91, of Stoneham, passed away peacefully at Winchester Hospital on May 2, 2026, surrounded by the family she loved so dearly.

A lifelong resident of Stoneham, Alice was born to Edmund J. and Alice C. (Crosby) Walsh and graduated from Stoneham High School, where she was voted “Most Efficient” in the Class of 1952. This superlative was more than a one-time honor for Alice—it became a lifelong hallmark, reflected in her meticulous planning and her knack for keeping family life, celebrations, and logistics running like clockwork. Over 64 years of marriage to her beloved husband, William Leonard (Bill) Twohig, Alice’s “Most Efficient” streak became its own love language. She always had a plan, and Bill, whether he agreed with it or not, was along for the ride.

Alice had a true zest for entertaining. She made holidays, especially her favorite --Christmas -- feel magical, welcoming family and friends with traditions, thoughtful details, and the kind of warmth that made everyone feel they mattered. On any given day of the year, Alice would quiz visitors about how many days there were until next Christmas. If there was no official holiday on the calendar, Alice would happily invent one—“Marshmallow World” being a prime example—with the music, the décor, and a theme so convincing you would find yourself wondering why you did not get the day off.

Known for her incredible planning, Alice took special joy in organizing her class reunions, bringing everyone together with the same thoughtful details, energy, and warmth that made all her gatherings unforgettable. Alice believed in manners the way she believed in family; steadily, wholeheartedly, and with a firm correction if needed, because to her etiquette was the essence of kindness and respect, especially when no one was watching.

She brought creativity and care to everything she did, whether it was baking hundreds of whoopie pies or cookies for school and college bake sales. Alice loved to travel, and cherished trips near and far, including journeys to Ireland that held a special place in her heart. She devoted 31 years of service at Winchester Hospital, where she was known for her reliability, generosity, and warm and compassionate welcome to visitors and staff. In her later years, as her dementia progressed, “Alice the Artist” found comfort and quiet happiness with a set of markers, content to color for hours, page after page, her steady focus, still perfect penmanship, and creative spark shining through. She entertained visitors with piano tunes and with a newfound appreciation for pool. Her sense of humor grew even more in these years, bringing laughter at just the right moments, often accompanied by a side-eye, to soften what might otherwise feel hard about life and leave everyone around her feeling lighter.

Alice is survived by her children: William Jr. (“Billy”) of Portland, Maine; Patricia (McGaffigan) and her husband, Jack, of Dunstable; Michael and his wife, Laurie, of Stoneham; and Maureen (Swanton) and her husband, Bernard, of Reading. She was the adoring grandmother of Shauna, Erin, Megan, Moira, Patrick, Michael, Maeve, and Declan, and great-grandmother of Anthony, Madison, Brynlee, Blake, and Chloe. Alice was predeceased by her husband Bill, her parents, her sister, Elizabeth A. Walsh, and her son John.

Family and friends are invited to Alice’s visitation at the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main Street (Route 28), Stoneham, on Thursday, May 7, from 4:00 - 7:00 PM. Parking attendants and an elevator are available. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Patrick’s Parish, 71 Central Street, Stoneham, on Friday, May 8, at 10:00 AM, with interment to follow at Saint Patrick’s Cemetery. For those unable to attend, a livestream link of the Mass will be posted here once available.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for Alice may be sent to Winchester Hospital Gift Processing, Office of Philanthropy, 529 Main Street, 4th Floor, Charlestown, MA 02129 or online at giving.winchesterhospital.org with funds in honor of Alice Twohig.

May we honor Alice by choosing joy, holding family close with the same fierce loyalty she gave so freely, and carrying her love forward in the way we show up for one another.