PORTLAND — Alyce Anne O’Brien Allen of Rangeley, passed away on Jan. 26, 2010, in Portland, with her husband and daughter by her side. She was 77 years old.

Alyce started her life off with a bang, being born on Leap Year Day, Feb. 29, 1932 to Alice (Eisman) and Frank O’Brien of Rochester, N.H. She grew up in Rochester and in Revere Beach, Mass., attending Allen Street Elementary School and Spaulding High School. She married Lawton Allen in 1953 and from there her adventures began.

Alyce was the consummate wife, mother and homemaker, but much more as well. She was highly intelligent and interested in everything. She raised sheep and spun their wool to use for her weaving. Gardening was a passion, and every year she would start flowers and vegetables from seed to plant in her window boxes and gardens. She and Lawton, her husband of 57 years, traveled extensively, everywhere from Russia to Hawaii, Europe to Ireland, and 49 of the 50 states. Alyce especially loved to read, and biographies and autobiographies of politicians from around the world were among her favorites as well as were books about history, especially of the Civil War. She was a lover of hummingbirds and lupine, flower gardens and travel, people and pets, learning and teaching.

Alyce faced many physical challenges with an unending effort to remain positive. She wanted others to enjoy every moment and to always look for the positive in people and life. Never would she say a bad word about life and the people she came in contact with but would look for the silver lining in her relationships. Her many friends have been comforted and thankful for her compassion in times of stress or trouble. Mom was loved and she loved in return. Her legacy is for everyone to live life to the fullest, enjoy nature, your surroundings, your friends and it is with unending love that we were able to be with her and share her love over all the years.

Our mom also took wonderful care of her four children. She was a scout leader, a school teacher and a teacher of life, and always listened carefully and offered sound advice.

She was the one who watched as we learned to ski and encouraged us to shoot for our dreams. She celebrated her family with her attention, love and wisdom. Alyce always had the ability to make people smile and feel comfortable. Even when she was faced with bad health she remained upbeat and interested in others, and they in turn were grateful for her warmth and humor.

Her many friends include her sister and brother-in-law,

Fred and Glenna Allen of Andover. They spent respective camps on Aziscoos Lake. Friends from Lawton’s years at General Electric were part of her social circle as they all traveled the world and enjoyed each others’ company. Alyce was the one who could be counted on to make the best pies and cookies and to open her home to parties for friends from Sugarloaf Ski Area and the Rangeley area. Throughout her life Alyce touched countless people with her compassion, kindness, friendliness and warmth.

Alyce is survived by her husband, Lawton, of Rangeley; and four children, Kathleen (and Allan) Cawrse of Richland, Wash., Rebecca (and David) Anctil of Rochester, N.H., Michael Allen of Bristow, Va., and Matthew (and Emily) Allen of Bluewater Bay, Fla. Thirteen grandchildren who all loved her and thrived under her attention also survive her. She is also survived by her cousin, Kathleen Lehman, of South Portland.

We invite you to celebrate her life by living each day to its fullest.

A memorial and celebration of her life will be held in Rangeley on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at the Church of the Good Shepherd at 2 p.m.