Alice Hafner died at her home in Vineyard Haven on June 28 after a brief and courageous battle with lung cancer. Her mother and aunt were by her side.

Alice was born in Oak Bluffs on Oct, 4, 1944. Her father, John Harris of Utah, died while serving in the Army during World War II and never got to meet his daughter. Alice was raised by her mother, Ruth Rocha of Vineyard Haven.

Alice grew up on the Island. She graduated from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in 1964. She married Richard Hafner later that same year and had two daughters, Pam in 1967 and Jacki in 1970.

She stayed at home with her daughters until they were older, at which point she began her 28 years of employment at Brickman’s in Vineyard Haven, where she fondly became known as “the shoe lady.”

Alice was predeceased by her husband of 35 years, Richard Hafner, who died in May of 1999; her grandmother, Mary Borges Rocha; and her uncle, Frank Rocha.

Survivors include her mother, Ruth Rocha of Vineyard Haven; her two daughters and their husbands, Pam and Rob Davey of Oak Bluffs and Jacki and Tom Flanagan of Mansfield; her four grandchildren, Lily Davey and Kayla, Jack and Julia Flanagan; her aunts, Madelyn Munn and Frances Rocha of Vineyard Haven and Dorothy Cassell of Dennis; and many cousins and dear friends.

Donations may be made in her memory to the Vineyard Nursing Association, P.O. Box 2568, Oak Bluffs MA 02557 or to the American Cancer Society, 1115 West Chestnut street, Brockton MA 02301.