Alice was born in Washington DC, the only child of Elmer, a military musician and Ann, an elementary school teacher. She moved to St. Paul's North Carolina, a small sourthern town that shaped her life.
        After high school, Alice chose to go into nursing at Campbell College, part of the Charlotte Memorial Hospital in Charlotte, NC. There she met a visiting resident, Ralph Wilkinson, a Canadian with the same last name as her. They were married and moved to Cleveland Ohio for him to finish his residency and for her to continue working at the Cleveland Clinic. She moved to Montreal after 3 years and began to raise her family in the cold norther climate. 
        Alice learned to adapt to the climate and activities of the northern lifestyle. She skiied downhill and cross country, skated on Beaver lake and created beautiful gardens at the family cottage. 
        Alice cared deeply for her friends and family and took an active role in orchestrating social activities, from the dermatology department of the Royal Victoria Hospital to family Thanksgiving dinners at the cottage. Alice was inclusive, thoughtful, tenacious and loyal, making friends easily and always bringing people together. She was happiest in a group and enjoyed seeing people together.