Alyce Carrol Liber
1947 – 2026
Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania
Alyce Carrol Liber lived a life marked by exceptional academic achievement, artistic skill, and deep family connections that spanned nearly eight decades in southwestern Pennsylvania. Born on February 28, 1947, at Columbia Hospital in Wilkinsburg, she was raised in the growing suburban community of Monroeville by her parents Frank A. and Bertha Mae (Householder) Witter.
The eldest daughter of Frank Alexander Witter, who was born in East Pittsburgh in 1921, and Bertha Mae Householder, born in 1924 in Monroeville, Alyce grew up in a household that valued both education and practical skills. Her father Ralph Lightner Witter had established roots in the region, living in North Huntingdon Township until his death in 1988, creating a family legacy deeply embedded in the industrial landscape of southwestern Pennsylvania.
Alyce's formative years in Monroeville during the 1950s placed her in a community experiencing the rapid suburban expansion that characterized post-war America. This environment fostered her appreciation for both intellectual pursuits and domestic artistry that would define much of her adult life. She developed exceptional skills as a seamstress, creating sophisticated projects including her own wedding dress and her husband's suit. Her culinary abilities earned her recognition as "an exceptional cook," reflecting both technical mastery and creative expression in the kitchen.
Her educational journey represented a significant achievement for women of her generation. After completing an Associate's degree in Accounting, Alyce pursued further education at La Roche University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design. Her academic excellence was recognized with summa cum laude honors, placing her among the top students in her class and demonstrating both intellectual capacity and sustained commitment to learning.
In the late 1960s or early 1970s, Alyce married Eric Stephen Liber, born in 1946. The couple established their home in West View, a stable residential borough in Allegheny County just north of Pittsburgh. Their marriage would endure for nearly four decades, representing a partnership characterized by mutual support and shared domestic accomplishments. Eric worked for Westinghouse from 1983 to 1999, then at PNC Bank until 2005, while also founding the Pittsburgh Area Computer Club in the mid-1970s and participating in community theater.
Beyond her formal education and marriage, Alyce cultivated rich personal interests that reflected her aesthetic sensibilities and commitment to beauty. She "loved flowers and had a beautiful flower garden," creating a space that required both practical horticultural knowledge and artistic vision. Her passion for collecting Blue Willow porcelain connected her to a tradition of decorative arts that spans centuries, demonstrating her appreciation for craftsmanship and cultural history.
Alyce's devotion to family remained a central aspect of her identity throughout her life. She maintained close relationships with her siblings Patricia Duff, Sylvia Kelley, Mel F. Witter, and James Witter. The family experienced profound loss when her sister Nancy Sloan died in February 2014, followed by their father Frank A. Witter, who passed away at age 93 in September 2014. These losses occurred during a particularly difficult period for Alyce, as her husband Eric had died suddenly on August 20, 2009, at age 63.
Following Eric's death, Alyce spent her final seventeen years as a widow, eventually transitioning from her longtime home in West View to McCandless Township. In her later years, she resided at Ridgecrest of McCandless, a senior living community that provided the care and support she needed as she aged. Throughout this period, she maintained her love of cats, described as "a loving cat owner" who found companionship and purpose in caring for her feline friends.
Alyce passed away peacefully on March 30, 2026, at Ridgecrest of McCandless at the age of seventy-nine. Her death marked the end of a life that had encompassed significant social changes, from the suburban expansion of the 1950s through the digital age of the early twenty-first century. She was laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in Export, Pennsylvania, following services at Hart Funeral Home in Murraysville.
Alyce Carrol Liber's legacy encompasses not only her academic achievements and artistic accomplishments but also her role as a devoted family member who maintained connections across generations. Her life exemplified the possibilities available to women of her generation who pursued education and personal development while maintaining traditional skills and family commitments. Through her excellence in sewing, cooking, gardening, and collecting, she demonstrated that domestic arts could represent genuine craftsmanship and creative expression. Her summa cum laude achievement in interior design reflected intellectual capability and dedication that distinguished her among her peers.
Where this story came from
Built from family memories, public records, and historical archives.