Alice H. Poe
January 6, 1945 ~ November 22, 2024
Dr. Mary Alice Huss Poe, affectionately known as Alice, passed away on November 22, 2024, in Saint Johns, Florida, after a courageous ten-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. Born in 1945 Alice was adopted by her loving parents, Paul and Elizabeth Huss, and grew up in Spindale, North Carolina.
Alice's academic journey was marked by excellence and dedication. She graduated from Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Her passion for nursing led her to obtain a Master of Science in Nurse-Midwifery from Emory University and a Doctor of Psychology in Nursing Education from the University of Alabama Birmingham.
Alice devoted her career to nursing education, serving as the Director of the Nurse-Midwifery program at the University of Florida for 25 years until her retirement in 2010. She was a compassionate advocate for underprivileged and teenage mothers, ensuring they received quality prenatal care. She received multiple awards over the years for her work, including being named a Fellow of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, President of the A.C.N.M. Foundation, and guest lecturer across the globe.
Alice was loved by many people, especially her family and friends. She was well-liked and highly respected by her working peers and students. She was known for being highly intelligent, quick-witted, very friendly, and (sometimes) “stubborn as a mule.” Beyond her professional achievements, Alice was an avid reader, needlework enthusiast, bridge player, and devoted cat lover. Her commitment to animal welfare was evident in her work with Katz for Keeps, rescuing and rehoming kittens. In her younger years, she was an accomplished pianist and enjoyed acting and singing, mostly in local productions. In her later years, one of her greatest joys was spending time with her grandchildren.
Alice is survived by her daughters, Katie Mason Sharp (Brian) and Margaret Mason Brady (John); honorary son Ryan Leirvik (Vicky); grandchildren Hannah and Allison Sharp, Ossian, Maeghan, Kyra, and Aidan Brady; brother Jack Huss (Betty); nephews Jack, Jr., and David Huss (Becky). She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Thomas Poe, and her parents.
Many thanks to the caregivers at Some Place Like Home and Westminster Woods of Julington Creek for helping Alice’s daughter, Katie, provide loving care for her in the last 5 years of her life.
If you wish to donate in memory of Alice, the family requests donations to the A.C.N.M. Foundation or The Alzheimer’s Association.
Charitable donations in Dr. Alice Poe's memory may be made to The A.C.N.M. Foundation, Inc. in support of the Alice Poe CNM Memorial Scholarship:
Online: midwifery.givesmart.com
By mail (using attached donation form):
The A.C.N.M. Foundation, Inc.
125 Mount Auburn Street, #380272
Cambridge, MA 02238-0272
Further more options:
www.acnmf.org
240-485-1850
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I wish I could have known Alice back in the day! As a labor and delivery nurse for the past 25 years, it would have been so awesome to work with her and to claim her as a mentor! Alice leaves a legacy that will continue to shine through her daughter Katie, my dear friend. God bless Mrs. Alice’s sweet soul!
To dear Alice's friends and family. I was so happy to be in Dr Poe's midwifery class in the 1999-2001. Sadly missed.
I grew up in Spindale NC and attended Asvent Lutheran Church. The Huss family were members also and I just loved Alice.
I can't say enough about Alice Poe. I had very fond memories of midwifery school in Jacksonville U of Fla. She was an inspiration to me and a representation of the type of midwife I wanted to be. She was a wonderful person and we will miss her. She is at peace and looking out over us
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May your Mom rest in peace until you meet again. Katie, your Mom was blessed to have your love and care. May the weight of your grief be lightened by the happy memories of your wonderful Mom.
Love,
Heidi
Alice was my midwifery teacher at the University of Florida Jacksonville in 1994-95 and she was a wonderful educator and mentor. She had an amazing amount of patience, which was combined with a sharp intellect. She was the largest part of making me the midwife I am. You will be missed Alice.
My deepest condolences to the family. Alice was my inspiration and gave me the gift of developing what was buried inside of me. Without her guidance I could not be the midwife that I am today. Her legacy lives on in the many student midwives she coached into being the provider that they are. She is missed and loved by many!
I met Alice decades ago while on spring break with her daughter. She was funny and gracious and full of life! I have remembered that visit often and fondly, and know that she is missed by all who knew her.
Mary Alice as I always knew her growing up was a wonderful sister. She was very much involved in music and science while I was two years younger and only thought about sports. We did not have that much in common but she was always a shining example of what I could be in sports if I followed her work ethic. She constantly strove to improve in her academics and her music. Guess I failed to mention she was an accomplished dancer as well.
The most important thing we shared was being adopted by two loving and caring people, Paul and Elizabeth Huss. Neither of us were ever in doubt about being loved and cared for during our lives with these two wonderful parents.