SOUTH BETHANY - The world seems a little less bright with the passing of Alice Virginia Tanner Woodruff, but the light that was her remarkable life will forever shine brightly in the lives of the countless people whose lives she touched. A registered nurse by training, she was the consummate caretaker, opening her heart and homes to others with grace, generosity and kindness. With her devoted husband, Woody, at her side, she was a friend to all and a foe to none. With an unassuming style she welcomed friends and family from all over the world. Her long and loving life seems much too short and she will be sorely missed. Alice Woodruff, age 89, of South Bethany, passed away on September 30, 2014. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 66 years, Harry Charles Woodruff ("Woody"); and her children, H. Charles Woodruff II and Cynthia Woodruff; four grandchildren, Christopher Woodruff, Joel Woodruff, Jamie Moore and Allison Woodruff; and four great-grandchildren, and many extended family members and friends. Alice was born to the late William and Ada Tanner on March 15, 1925 in North Granville, New York. She was the youngest of five children and was predeceased by her siblings, Hazel Chapin, Grace Tanner, Alan Tanner and Wilma Jones. Alice and her lifelong friend, affectionately known as Beanie, attended a two room school in North Granville. Alice later went to the Granville School where she met her future husband in fifth grade. They graduated together but were too young to follow their chosen careers, so they took post-graduate classes in Granville. In 1946 Alice graduated from Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Albany, New York. Her wartime nursing rotations took her to New York City where she participated in the Victory in Europe celebration. Following Woody's wartime United States Navy Air Corps service, the couple was married on August 20, 1948 in the chapel of All Saints Church in North Granville. Alice worked as an operating room nurse in Albany and later transferred to the Glens Falls Hospital and then the Granville Hospital to be closer to their farm in Pawlet, Vermont. They had two children while on the farm: Harry Charles Woodruff II ("Chuck") and Cynthia Woodruff ("Cindy"). In 1958 they left the farm to live in Ayer, Massachusetts and then Herndon, Virginia where Woody was an opening day air traffic controller at Dulles International Airport. In Virginia, Alice was active in many community groups and in the Trinity Presbyterian Church. She has fond memories of their Irish immigrant neighbors, Lily and Bill Scott. She continued her love of nursing in private care duty. With overflowing kindness, she made a home that attracted friends and family of all ages. Her kids' friends were a part of the family, too. She followed in her mothers' footsteps as a baker and quilter. Family members still cherish the baby quilts she sewed for their newborns. In 1969 her first grandson, Christopher, was born. Upon Woody's retirement in 1979, the couple moved to South Bethany, Delaware where they built their own four bedroom house. They lived in this house for 35 years. Alice was a loyal participant in the Ocean View Presbyterian Church where she joined the women's sewing circle and held many leadership roles. While in Delaware she welcomed her second grandson, Joel, and her two granddaughters, Jamie and Allison, into the family. Even today the sign outside of their Brandywine Drive home reads "Alice's Home Cooking" for Alice knew everyone's favorite dessert from donuts to cookies to pies. For Alice feeding people was only one small way of expressing her love for others. All who knew her felt her unconditional love. Never one to judge, she simply loved. She was often called an "angel" and lived her Christian beliefs in daily life. Her love for Woody was evident every day in all she did for him and his family and friends. Never a birthday or anniversary escaped her notice and always included special cards or calls. She always had time to talk or listen and was a surrogate mom to many folks. She offered a sympathetic ear when times were difficult and heartfelt celebration of achievements in good times. Alice's faith was steadfast and she found comfort and strength in prayer. A viewing will be offered from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, October 4 , 2014 at the Ocean View Presbyterian Church with a service at 3:30 p.m. and a reception following the service. A second service will take place in Granville, New York. Her final resting place will be in the Mettowee Valley cemetery in Pawlet, Vermont. Donations to the Ocean View Presbyterian Church or the American Cancer Society would be welcomed in lieu of flowers. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.