I had the good fortune to live at the St. Elizabeth at 901 Powell Street during the 1990's. Alice was our resident historian who always knew the right thing to do to preserve this grand old edifice on Nob Hill. We shared a deep respect for Houghton Sawyer, the architect who created this and so many other elegant buildings in San Francisco. Years later when I began my career as a real estate developer, I would run into Alice at the Planning Department. She always had a ready smile and we would discuss the latest renovation projects we were working on. Hers were always important structures that needed preservation and mine were always unremarkable houses that could only be improved by renovation. I will miss Alice's friendship and advice. I am glad she found her perfect calling that allowed her to rise to the apex of her profession. Hers was a life well spent. I am so glad she and Paul had the chance to create their perfect retreat in the wine country. I will remember them fondly climbing up to the roof terrace at the St. Elizabeth with a bottle of wine in hand to enjoy the view of the city they worked so hard to preserve.
Reply
Wayne Donaldson
8/31/2013 01:11:56 pm
Alice's Wonderlands: A Celebration of a Young Preservationist in Architecture (2013)
We love you.
Look at all your friends gathered here today
who came to say goodbye.
Like a project unfinished, you left early,
and we are left asking why.
In our pain and tears we can share
like old buildings you have healed.
But in your wonderlands our minds will keep
your preservation of life no one can steal.
We all feel your creative hand in ours,
and see your loving smile and face.
You haven't gone we feel you here,
like a legacy we can't replace.
We think of you as living
in the hearts of those you touched.
Like stories, memories loved are never lost
and you were loved so much.
You meant so much to each of us
and in your works you'll always be.
Your wonderlands are who you are
T o heritage, to us and to me.
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