Alice Healey

ALICE LETITIA "TISH" HEALEY

Cedar Rapids

Alice Letitia "Tish" Healey passed away Jan. 19, 2016, from heart failure at age 82.

Tish was born March 2, 1933, in Madison, Wis., to Francis and Lettie Dawson. She was raised in Iowa City, Iowa, graduated from University High School, and earned a B.A. in international relations from University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Tish married the love of her life, Ted Healey, on Sept. 11, 1954. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage and raised three daughters: Susan Toussaint (John) of Appleton, Wis., Carolyn Olson (David, deceased) of Minneapolis and Ellen Healey of Cedar Rapids.

Tish had a deep interest in international affairs, politics and economics, and advocated for youth to experience different cultures throughout the world. She loved to travel and considered it an important part of her family's education.

Music was a huge part of Tish's life. She was a very accomplished pianist with a particular love of classical and sacred music. She and Ted enjoyed attending Cedar Rapids Symphony concerts, chamber concerts and many other musical performances in the area.

Tish was employed by Coe College as a counselor in the Career Services Center from 1972 to 1995. She provided one-on-one intensive help with reading, writing and time management and presented workshops on career planning and job placement.

She particularly enjoyed finding internships nationwide for hundreds of Coe students. Tish frequently attended Coe College events and particularly enjoyed weekly Coe Forums.

As an active community leader, Tish held multiple leadership positions and served on the executive committees of several Cedar Rapids organizations, including United Cerebral Palsy, Symphony Orchestra Association and Junior League.

She was a longtime volunteer of the Cedar Rapids Art Center, predecessor of the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, and founded the docent program in the 1960s.

Tish was an active church member and held many leadership positions, including elder, trustee and deacon at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids. More recently, she had been an active and contributing member at First Presbyterian Church in Mount Vernon.

Interested in visual arts, architecture and biblical archeology, Tish had a keen mind, was a critical thinker and a problem solver. She also was a voracious reader and particularly loved participating in her couples book club for nearly 50 years.

Tish is survived by her husband; three daughters; four grandchildren, Elizabeth Toussaint (Joseph Koss), Ted Toussaint, Erik Olson and Nicklas Olson; sister, Ursula Bhatia of Spokane, Wash.; brother, John Dawson (Mary) of Santa Barbara, Calif.; and many nieces, nephews and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother and sister-in-law, Murray and Violet Dawson; her brother-in-law, Vishnu Bhatia; her sister, Susan Dawson; and her son-in-law, David Olson.

A visitation will be held at The Meth-Wick Community, Greenwood Terrace, on Friday, Jan. 29, from 2 to 4 p.m. A memorial service will be Saturday, Jan. 30, at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Mount Vernon.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to First Presbyterian Church, 309 First St. W, Mount Vernon, IA 52314. The memorial funds will be designated for building accessibility or international service experiences for youth.

Please leave a message or tribute to the Healey family on the web page, www.iowacremation.com under Obituaries.