Dr. Alice Theresa Murchio Rusbar's Obituary
Dr. Alice Theresa Murchio Rusbar, beloved mother, educator, and benefactor died on Wednesday, September 2, 2020. Alice was born in New Jersey to Louis Murchio and Amelia Morando Murchio. She was the beloved wife of the late Chester George Rusbar, and she is survived by her son and daughter-in-law – Stephen J. Rusbar and Patricia Fontova; daughter and son-in-law – Norma M. Rusbar and William J. Higgins; and by her greatly loved granddaughter – Amelia Rusbar. Alice was predeceased by her brother, Louis Murchio and his wife, Norma Malloy Murchio, as well as by her brother George Murchio and his wife Edith Sykes Murchio. She is also survived by loved nieces, nephews, and their children.
Alice’s professional life began when she obtained a degree as a registered nurse from St. Joseph’s Hospital, Paterson, NJ. She then served as a Cadet Nurse in WWII. After additional years of study, which included time in Oxford College in Great Britain, Alice proudly achieved a PhD in English from Tulane University, New Orleans, LA. She devoted her life to family, education, and service to the Catholic Church.
Alice was a fantastic mother who supported her husband, children, and extended family in everything they attempted. Her retirement years were filled with vacation travel with her family to her favorite places such as Italy, France, Switzerland, and other European destinations. She also traveled with her family to Canada and Alaska and with her daughter to Hong Kong. She gladly cared and cooked for her family’s pets and, in particular, for Butch Rusbar.
Education was central to Dr. Rusbar’s life. She was a Professor of English at Delgado Community College for more than 25 years, served as the Associate Dean of Instruction, and subsequently became the Assistant to the President of Delgado.
Service to the Catholic Church was also important to Dr. Rusbar. She volunteered to work pro bono, with faculty, staff, and students at Saint Joseph Seminary College in Benedict, LA, to prepare, submit, and obtain accreditation for the College on two different occasions. She also volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and as a member of the parish council for Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Slidell, LA for over seven years, and, in her last home, St. Anthony’s Gardens, Covington, LA, she organized their library.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral mass at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 from the Church at St. Joseph’s Abbey, 75376 River Rd. St. Benedict, LA 70457. Visitation will be held from 12:30-1:30 pm at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W. 21st Avenue, Covington, LA 70433. Interment at the St. Joseph Abbey Cemetery will immediately follow Mass.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Joseph Abbey. https://www.saintjosephabbey.com/ Visit www.ejfieldingfh.com to sign the Guest Book online.
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