Caldwells Obituary: Alice McCarney, Wall Street Worker, US Woman's Army Corp

West Caldwell, NJ – West Caldwell resident Alice McCarney passed away on March 17.

The following obituary comes courtesy of Shook’s Cedar Grove Funeral Home:

“Alice Marie McCarney, 87,of West Caldwell, N.J., formerly of New York City, N.Y., passed away on March 17, 2016.

“Born in Newark, N.J., to the late James and Elizabeth McCarney, Alice attended Our Lady of Good Counsel high school and went on to study at Seton Hall University. Living through the WWII era and vividly remembering the attack on Pearl Harbor and inspired by her patriotic father Alice enlisted in the U.S. Woman's Army Corp during the Korean War. She graduated from Officer's Candidate school and made it to the ranks of 1st Lieutenant being honorably discharged in December 1956.

“Once she discovered New York City her love affair with the greatest city in the world began and she lived there for over 40 years settling in the eclectic neighborhood of Greenwich Village. She enjoyed art, theater, restaurants and her trail blazing successful career on Wall Street which began at Dupont Glore Forgan and moving on to E. F. Hutton where she worked for over 20 years in a variety of senior roles.

“Never afraid to follow her heart she fell in love with Norman Powell and entered into an interracial relationship long before it was popular and raised a daughter primarily as a single parent in a world that was not always kind to them. She retired to West Caldwell, NJ after a career spanning 37 years where she was often the first woman to break through the boundaries of "the good old boys" network.

“She and her daughter, Kathy and son-in-law Sylvester were a close unit and in her retirement she became a doting grandmother to her two grandchildren Alison and Miles, attending their dance recitals and soccer games. She became a volunteer in the Montclair school system and attended St. Cassian's Roman Catholic Church. Alice also enjoyed travel and spent time with her family abroad when her son-in-law was transferred to London. She was a people person and loved life, living it to the fullest. Ever proud of her Irish heritage, it was touching that she passed away on St. Patrick's Day.

“Alice is predeceased by her parents and sisters, Rose Callanan and Margaret Roche in addition to Kathy's beloved father Norman Powell. She is survived by her cherished daughter, Kathy Powell McClearn, and her admired husband, Sylvester McClearn; loving grandchildren, Alison Marie McClearn and Miles Christopher McClearn; dear nieces and nephews, Kathy and Ron Muscle, Peggy and Al Farah, Patricia and John Custer, Elizabeth McCarthy, Noreen and Jerry Dalton, John and Marianne Callanan, and James Callanan. Plus dozens of adored grandnieces and nephews and 8 loving godchildren, especially Noreen Dalton, Kathy Muscle, David Rondeau, Gerard Bryant and Lenora Hazell Walton.

“In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark, 590 North 7th St., Newark, NJ 07107.”

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