Retired Folsom Lake Community College Instructor passed away Nov. 10, 2024

Alice’s twelve-year battle with cancer ended early Sunday morning, November 10. She fought bravely and courageously, and she lived every day to the fullest.
Alice Marie Textor was born in Toledo, Ohio, on April 20, 1950, to Carl and Lillian Textor. The fifth of seven children, Alice spent her childhood in San Diego and West Seattle. Sports were always a huge part of her life, beginning as a youngster playing softball at Sunset Park, followed by varsity tennis in high school at Evergreen High School.
After high school, Alice excelled at varsity tennis and varsity basketball at Western Washington University and was the starting guard on the first women’s basketball team to advance to the national tournament in New York. Her teammates from Western remained her lifelong friends.
After graduating from Western, Alice pursued a Master’s degree at the University of Arizona, where she became a graduate assistant coach for the U of A women’s basketball team. Upon earning her degree, Alice’s coaching career took off. She served as head women’s basketball coach at Northern Illinois University for several years before returning to the West Coast as head basketball coach at Cal State Dominguez Hills.
Eventually, the high-stress life of a university coach led her to seek a slower pace. Her next move was to buy forty acres in Northern California and live off the land. To help pay the bills, Alice took a job at nearby Laytonville High School, where she taught Spanish and, of course, ended up coaching the girls’ basketball team.
Alice’s final career move was to Folsom Lake Community College, near Sacramento, where she oversaw the creation of the student leadership and government program and taught PE classes. She retired in 2012.
In retirement, Alice became an avid and highly regarded pickleball player, participating in numerous tournaments, including one with her brother Mark and another with her sister Phyllis. Golf became a favorite pastime as well. Like many retirees, Alice was bitten by the travel bug. Her travels took her to Europe, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, the Southwest USA, Alaska, Canada, and Mexico.
Alice and her wife Susan bought a home in San Felipe, Mexico, where they wintered every year until Alice’s passing. The loving community of women and pickleball pals in San Felipe were a huge part of Alice’s life. Both Alice and Susan were avid birders and planned many of their trips around their birding passion.
Alice’s diagnosis came shortly after her retirement, but she and Susan managed to travel, live, and snowbird between cancer treatments. Alice’s optimism and joy for life kept her going and fighting until only a month ago, when she and her fabulous oncologist, Dr. Kiarash Kojouri, decided together that the fight was over.
Alice passed at their summertime abode, with her family and Susan by her side. She is survived by her wife Susan Nichols; her sister Phyllis Textor (Cindy Arnold); her brother Mark Textor (Darcy Vitulli); niece Justine Wagner (Chad); nephew John Textor (Stephanie); and great-nieces and nephew Kendall, Payton, Russell, and Blake. Stumpy the cat stayed with Alice until the end.
Alice touched many lives throughout her career and life, and everyone’s outpouring of love was deeply appreciated. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the incredible staff at Skagit Regional Cancer Care Center, especially Dr. Kojouri and RN Nancy Toth, who supported Alice throughout her twelve-year journey. They also thank Whatcom Hospice for their caring and gentle touch during Alice’s final days. A special thank-you goes to dear friend Connie Labuhn of Phoenix, Arizona, who came to help and sat with Alice as she passed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Alice’s name to either Whatcom Hospice or the Pacific Northwest Audubon Society. Since Alice didn’t care for rainy Northwest winters, a celebration of life will be held this summer when the skies are blue, the breeze is warm, and the pickleball courts are dry and sunny.


Obituary notice furnished by Memoriams on behalf of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Sedro Wooley, WA