Alice Ruth Selden Dearo passed
away on December 28, 2018, in Tomball, Texas.
She was the
daughter of the late Lewis and Helen Sezna
Selden. In 1970, Alice graduated from RFA
and continued her education at MVCC. She was
united in marriage to Donald Dearo, a Utica
Firefighter, in 1985, at Our Lady of Lourdes
Church. Don passed away in 1999.
Alice was
the Executive Director of the United Way of
Rome and Western Oneida County. While in
that position, Alice not only led but
participated as well. She was lovingly
invested in the mentoring program and took
pride in working with elementary students.
St. Joseph’s Church in Lee Center also
benefited from Alice’s dedication. For many
years, she was the force behind the weekly
bulletin, and in addition, taught religious
education classes.
Alice is
survived by her beloved daughter, Deanna
Dearo, Lee; two brothers and sisters-in-law,
Brian and Suzanne Clark Selden, Tomball,
Texas, and Gary and Pamela Puccio Selden,
Canton, Georgia; nieces Carla Selden,
Michele Selden, Kristen Balderrama, and
Brianna Selden; a great niece Alexis Vegas;
and great nephews, Trevor Brian Balderrama,
Everd Olivaries, and Jared Olivaries. Also
surviving is the treasured family dog,
Duchess. Alice is also survived by many
cousins with whom she shared and celebrated
Polish holidays and family reunions. Above
all, Alice was lovingly devoted to her
daughter, family, and friends. A ready smile
and a kind word were her trademarks.
A Memorial
Mass will be held on January 26, 2019, at
St. Joseph’s Church, Lee Center, at 11:00
a.m. with Fr. Robert Kelly officiating.
Family and friends are invited to attend
calling hours on Friday, January 25, 2019,
from 4 to 7 p.m. at Strong- Burns &
Sprock Funeral Home, 7751 Merrick Road,
Rome. Interment will take place in the
spring at Evergreen Cemetery, Stokes.
Memorial
donations can be made to The United Way of
Rome and Western Oneida County Endowment
Fund as a lasting memorial of Alice’s love,
involvement, and commitment with The United
Way.
Alice Ruth Dearo was born in Rome, New York
on March 22, 1952, and passed away in
Tomball, Texas on December 28, 2018. She is
now at peace after a tough battle with
cancer.
She is preceded in death by her husband,
Donald Dearo; and her parents, Lewis and Helen
Selden.
Alice is survived by
her daughter, Deanna Selden Dearo; her
siblings, Brian Selden and wife Sue, and
Gary Selden and wife Pam; her nieces,
Michele Selden, Kristen Balderrama, Brianna
Selden, and Carla Selden; great-niece,
Alexis Vegas; and great-nephews, Trevor
Brian Balderrama, Everd Olivares, and Jared
Olivares.
She was very involved
with her community and volunteering,
including mentoring grade school students.
Alice was the Executive Director of the
United Way of Rome, New York and western
Oneida county. She always had a positive
attitude and smile, ready to help. She will
be missed by so many.
Services for Alice be decided, and will be
scheduled at a later date in Rome, New York.
