Celebrating the Life of the First Woman to be AJPA Life Member – Alice Wylie QSM
It is with deep regret that I received a phone call from the grandson of Alice Wylie QSM to tell me his grandmother had passed away peacefully on Thursday 23 February 2023 at the tender age of 99 years old. She described herself as a “very active nonagenarian”.
In 2000 Alice became the first woman to be made a Life Member of the AJPA . She served for many years as a Ministerial and Judicial Justice of the Peace and she was the first woman to serve on the AJPA Judicial Court Panel a position she held for 26 years.
She was very active politically, being a long serving member of the National Party, as well as serving 27 years on the Mt Albert Borough Council, including three terms as Deputy Mayor prior to the merger with the Auckland City Council.
Alice was born in Nelson but relocated to Auckland after her husband Geoff was given a promotion at the Post Office where he worked. She was a tireless advocate for Mt Albert where she lived and spent many, many years. Her name is commemorated by the Alice Wylie Reserve on New North Road, Mt Albert.
Alice was a great supporter of the AJPA and attended many Regional Conferences/AGMs and special functions such as the AJPA High Tea at Alberton House in April 2019, and more recently the Centenary Afternoon Tea at Government House in June 2022 where she charmed the Governor General.
In her later years, her grandson always ensured she attended these functions by accompanying her.
RIP Alice
Sherryl Wilson
Past President