Alice Rae

Alice Tucker (nee Seidler) Rae passed away peacefully and in the presence of family on July 3, 2024, following her long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Alice was born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 25, 1940 to Joseph H. Seidler and Florence Shaw, and the family soon moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where Alice met her love and partner for life, Jerry Rae, at Western Hills High School.

Alice attended Miami University (of Ohio) where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and graduated with a degree in education and history. She and Jerry then married on August 10, 1963 and settled in New Castle, Indiana, where she headed a Henry County health division focused on women’s health. During this period, Alice also went on to receive her Masters degree in Public Administration while raising their two children, Kerry and Brad. The family moved to Kansas City, where her accomplishments continued, as Alice worked in health care administration. As the director of planning and marketing for a major Kansas City hospital, she established a Women’s Health Care center and initiated a city-wide triathlon.

Alice and Jerry returned to Indiana in 1990, and Alice resumed her career at the Indiana State Department of Health, and then at the Indiana Primary Health Care Association where she became Deputy Director and after retiring, was asked to return and serve as Interim Director. Alice mentored staff at IPHCA and assisted several colleagues who went on to expand or originate new community health care centers themselves.

Throughout her life, Alice was an avid tennis player, getting the family engaged to the point where family vacations were enjoyed at a tennis resort in Florida for many years, and she and Jerry continued to travel for tennis when her league matches at the Indianapolis Racket Club took her even to Arizona for the national finals. Alice and Jerry also enjoyed volunteering at the Indianapolis RCA tennis tournament for 15 years. Alice loved water sports as well, competing in and teaching swimming, water ballet, and diving. She was a lover of music, the arts, and theater, which culminated with a lead role in New Castle’s community theater. She enjoyed traveling both nationally and abroad, including trips to Mexico, Italy, and France.

Alice became a skilled cook, and she and Jerry enjoyed participating in a gourmet dinner group with friends in both New Castle and Indianapolis, so much so that she initiated a similar group in Kansas City while living there. She never shied away from taking on the difficult recipes. Alice loved bringing family and people together, especially at the holidays. These were festive times she planned for all year long.

Alice is survived by Jerry, her husband for nearly 61 years; daughter Kerry Rae and partner Bob Wolf of Alexandria, Virginia; son Brad Rae and his wife Lisa of Lake Forest, California; granddaughter Madison; and sister Joy Seidler of Holliston, Massachusetts. She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Florence Seidler and brother Mark.

The family wishes to thank Grand Brook Memory Care of Fishers for their compassionate care of Alice, and especially Anchor of Hope Hospice for their committed care, communication, and support.

Visitation for Alice will be from 2-4pm on Friday, July 12, 2024, at Flanner Buchanan – Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (Conner Suite) – 9700 Allisonville Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46250, with a funeral service at 4pm. The family invites everyone to attend an additional Celebration of Life from 5-7pm after the service to continue sharing memories of Alice with light refreshments.

In lieu of flowers, people may consider contributions in Alice’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association or Planned Parenthood.