Mrs. Mary Alice Walker, 95, died Friday December 26, 2025, at Kendal on Hudson, Westchester County, New York, surrounded by family.

     Born in Schenectady, New York, she was the daughter of the late William Harris and Clara Branch; and predeceased by her brother, William Harris Branch Jr.  Mary Alice grew up in Schenectady, leaving home to attend Duke University where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English Literature.

     While at Duke, Mary Alice met her future husband, William B. (Bill) Walker. They were married in 1951 and raised their three children in CT, MA and NY, before settling in the model city of Columbia, MD. Upon retirement, Mary Alice and Bill moved to Hilton Head Island, SC where they enjoyed the ocean, travels and interesting study trips to Oxford, England. After Bill died in 2008, Mary Alice spent the last 10 ten years on the island in a senior living community (TidePointe) before moving to Kendal in October 2018.

     Kendal on Hudson was Mary Alice’s life and joy for the past 7 years. The many deep, heart-felt friendships, the ongoing learning opportunities, the laughter, warmth and vibrancy of Kendal enriched her life (and that of her family) in so many ways. It was a gift to share her remaining years with her Kendal family.

During her lifetime, Mary Alice dedicated herself to enriching the communities she lived in—whether through volunteer or professional initiatives. She was a spiritual person, connected to the natural world around her and the people who flowed into and out of her life. Teachings from her parents lived on in her own daily life, and she embraced the philosophy learned from a life well lived that “love, peace, and understanding is the answer no matter what the question.”

Whatever project Mary Alice undertook, it was done with passion…and excellently organized! She had the ability to envision a future and the skill necessary to implement change, all while supporting and encouraging others to ‘be a part of the journey.’  Her interests were varied, including leadership roles with nature, arts, cultural and health groups.  A sampling of Mary Alice’s community service roles included Board President, Unitarian Congregation of the LowCountry; Founder/Chair, Symphony Woods Committee (Summer Pops Concerts with Baltimore Symphony); Founder/Chair, Distinguished Speakers Series; Board Chair, Howard County Hospice; Board Member: Columbia Foundation, LowCountry Hospice, Audubon Society; Founder/Chair TidePointe Board Landscape Committee; Manager, Audubon Nature Preserve: started educational coastal ecology walks and Docent, Coastal Discovery Museum: talks on Hilton Head Island and Civil War history.

In her professional life, Mary Alice worked as the Public Relations Director, Howard County General Hospital, in Columbia, MD and the Founder/Director of the Humanities Institute in Columbia.

Known for her boundless energy and curious mind, Mary Alice was well-loved by her 3 children: Kristin (Breck) Borcherding of Croton-on-Hudson, NY; Bill Walker, Jr. (Julie Kriegh) of Bainbridge Island, WA and Sarah (Bruce) Herdman of Calgary, Alberta; 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.  She was always willing to go for a walk, build a sandcastle or swim in the ocean, curl up with a grandchild to read, or play a good game of Scrabble. And when not out exploring the world, Mary Alice explored ideas and issues through book groups, conversations, discussions with family and friends of all ages and beliefs.

Mary Alice believed that her parent’s intangible presence surrounded her life and gave it meaning--and that knowledge filled her with awe.  As her family, we know that Mary Alice’s presence will continue to surround our lives and give them meaning while filling us with awe as well.

The family would like to thank the many staff at Kendal who make it not just a senior’s residence, but a beautiful home. Your genuine caring, smiles, and attention to detail was a gift not only to Mary Alice but to the whole family. Thank you.

A small Celebration of Life will be held at Kendal On Hudson for family and the Kendal community.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following charities or to a charity of your choice:

Friends of the Rockefeller Preserve, https://www.friendsrock.org/

Partners in Health, https://www.pih.org/