Alice Clements Otruba (nee Murtha), passed away peacefully on Sunday July 31, 2022 at the Southern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT after a courageous fight against lung cancer. She was 65 years old and is survived by her loving husband Emery Otruba, son John Otruba, daughters Elizabeth Otruba and Bridgette Maryman, grandson Owen Maryman, sisters Elizabeth Guseman and Amy Murtha, father John Murtha, stepmother Jennifer Kohn Murtha, and several nieces and nephews. Alice is predeceased by her sister Jennifer Kountz and mother Mary Murtha.

Alice was born on April 25, 1957 in Manhattan, NY. Alice grew up in Catonsville, MD. After high school, Alice pursued a career in the hospitality industry, first with the Museum Café in Baltimore, MD, then with the Rusty Scupper Group, managing restaurants in Baltimore, MD, Arlington, TX, and Tysons Corner, VA. She then worked as an executive recruiter for the financial industry in Washington, DC. In 1989, she moved to Garrison, NY with her husband Emery and pursued a career in advertising. After living in Hopewell Junction, NY for many years, where she worked for the Riverview and Northgate Restaurants in Cold Spring, NY, she moved to upstate NY, first living in Gloversville, NY and then settling in Hoosick Falls, NY in 1999 where she and Emery raised their family.

Alice loved life in a small town, where she made many friends and considered Hoosick Falls her true home. She was a cherished member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church vestry, and St. Hilda’s Guild, volunteering in many roles including the Thrift Shop, Altar Guild, teaching Sunday School and acting as a lay minister. Alice was an advocate for Autism Awareness, serving as a counselor for parents of autistic children. Alice loved all aspects of nature, especially the wild birds and animals, and her cats. She took pride in her flower beds, which she developed over many years. Alice was a kind, devoted, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. She will be remembered by all for her zest for life and bright spirit, her infectious laugh and smile, her sense of humor, kindness, love of God and nature, family and friends, Irish music, literary knowledge, and love of travel, languages, food and wine. Her 2016 European River Cruise for her 25th wedding anniversary was a particular source of joy and memories, as was her 2016 trip to Dublin, Ireland for Blooms Day.

A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 72 Main St, Hoosick Falls, NY on Sunday August 28, 2022 at 11AM with reception after.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church