The memorial service will take place at the Episcopal Church of All Saints (1559 Central Ave., Indianapolis) on May 19 at 11am, with calling at 10am and a reception to follow.
Alice Carolyn Frayer Usher was born on February 27, 1918 and died on April 12, 2016. She received her bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of Michigan, and then studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. After World War II she settled in Indianapolis with her husband, Roland G. Usher, Jr., a professor at Butler University. Together they raised four children, Martha (CE Quandt), Caroline, Jonathan (Melodie) and Roland (Deb), who all survive her. She had 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
In Indianapolis Alice continued her studies in sculpture with David Rubins at the Herron College of Art. She became locally well known for her portrait busts of children and for several commissions for the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis. “The Little Gardener” stands in the Cloister Garden at Trinity Episcopal Church, and “St. Francis” faces the Circle from the wall of Christ Church Cathedral. While staying in London in 1976, she volunteered to work on the restoration of Westminster Abbey. She was proud to be given a stone capital to carve and was present when it was installed on the east face of the north transept. Later in life she branched out into fabric and embroidery works, mosaics and oil painting. She continued to work as an artist until her eyesight failed.
Alice also was a founding member of the Butler-Tarkington Neighborhood Association, and was a long time member of the Indiana Artists Club, the Portfolio Club and the Women’s Club. She served as a Girl Scout and a Cub Scout leader and supervised numerous cookouts, hikes, camping and museum trips, and projects.
She was an active member of the Episcopal Church of All Saints, where she served as a thurifer (incense bearer) and senior warden. Before attending All Saints she was a long time member of Christ Church Cathedral. A memorial service will take place at the Episcopal Church of All Saints (1559 Central Ave., Indianapolis) on May 19 at 11am, with calling at 10am and a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to All Saints Church.
Nancy Adams says
Dear Alice — what a delight it was to know her! She was an amazing artistic talent, and a person who never stopped wanting to learn. She could be a dignified and solemn acolyte serving at the altar at All Saints, and a mischievous sprite dressing up for a Mardi Gras party in a leather vest with “Madonna’s Grandmother” across the back. She created some of the most moving and human interpretations of Biblical characters in her sculptures; one can see something new each time one looks at them. Alice, you will be greatly missed. I look forward to seeing you on the other side!