Alice Bardo Ostrom

I received the call at midnight that my mother had died peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, Jan. 26. The shock came when I realized that Grammy O had passed away the same day her grandson Chad died (Pancreatic cancer, 1/26/13.) Grammy and Chad were so close, much like the bond she had with the many Manhasset children that she cared for, much the same way that she cared for the music library at the Manhasset Congregational Church, much as she founded and nurtured the first bereavement group, New Horizons, for the people in the community, much as she sang and served the choir and the chorus. Her devotion, dedication and hard work were realized in so many areas of her community and church life. Her impact on the children she loved and cared for is depicted in a poem written by one of the children, Kiernan Dwyer-Galloway, who with love, tough love it was, Grammy O helped mold into a beautiful woman, devoted wife and loving mother.
Grandma was there every step of the way for so many children, in so many families. She no longer was the nanny, but an integral part of each family. In many ways, she was the children’s surrogate grandmother, attending birthdays, christenings, graduations and weddings. She was celebrated, remembered and often her children would bring their children to see her and reminisce.
Her tough love left an indelible mark on each child that she cared for. It was the fine parenting with grandma’s constant loving, listening, dependability and caring. Always striking that delicate balance that children need between love and discipline that made her so important in the lives of so many.
Her dedication served her church choir and community choirs. Her beautiful alto voice blended with the other fine voices that rang so true. Her voice was one that others could follow, although she always chose to stay in the background. New Horizons was conceived by Alice and her minister when her beloved husband, Warren, passed away. Instead of withdrawing, she reached out to others and began a wonderful group encouraging people to go on with their lives. She did a lot of the background work while letting others serve in leadership roles.
Alice had a quiet but strong presence. She let you know what she thought—solicited or not. She never bragged or boasted about herself but rather dedicated herself to all the things important to her.
Always on time, always willing to lend a helping hand, always sharing her opinion, even if not solicited, she remained trustworthy and dependable throughout her life.
After her husband passed away, she continued to address and mail his insurance calendars to all his clients for many years. When asked why, she said, “Because I know people look forward to receiving them.”
And so the final chapter has been written on Alice B. Ostrom, Grammy O, but her legacy will live on. She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren Ostrom. Survivors include her daughter, Christine A. Wilson, and sons Arthur B. Malc, Anthony D. Ostrom and Roger Ostrom; daughter-in-law, Alisa F. Arnold; two grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life Service was held on Feb. 14 at the Manhasset Congregational Church.