Alexandra "Alice" Urynowicz Biernat was born in Detroit, Michigan on December 6, 1930. She lived in Detroit and its near suburbs her entire life, and passed away in Garden City, Michigan on July 11, 2018.

Alice was the child of Polish immigrants, Alexander and Katherine (Witek) Urynowicz, and grew up speaking both English and Polish in the home. She attended the all-female Girls Catholic Central High School in midtown Detroit, behind Orchestra Hall on Woodward Ave. Alice long outlasted her high school, which closed in 1969.

After high school training which included typing and business classes, Alice worked at John Hancock Life Insurance in downtown Detroit.

Alice met Julian Biernat through a mutual friend, and married him in 1958 at St. Cunegunda Catholic Church.

Alice and Julian had three children, a son Paul, and two daughters, Monica and Michele. They raised the family on Fielding Street in Detroit for decades, near where the Rouge River meets Warren Avenue. They lived in a neighborhood with family, friends, nearby churches, bakeries, and a strong sense of community.

Her husband Julian died—too young—in 1983, and in 1994, Alice moved with her daughter Michele to Westland, MI. After Michele's marriage to Mike Sophiea in 2000, Alice move to Westgate Tower in Westland, where she had an active social life with many friends, shopping trips, games of bingo and dice with friends. She was a sweet and easy-going person, open to new experiences and happiest when with others. Her cozy home in Westgate Tower was filled with pictures of her children and grandchildren, her collections of angels, and her large cat, Ritz.

Alice enjoyed many trips to the Detroit Zoo, Detroit Tiger games at Tiger Stadium and Comerica Park, and visits to casinos and local restaurants, arranged by Michele and Mike Sophiea.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents and six siblings, Walter, Chester, Irene, Edmund, Ann, and Henry. She is survived by three children: Paul Biernat of Inkster MI, Monica Biernat  and husband Chris Crandall of Lawrence, KS, Michele Sophiea and husband Mike Sophiea  of Dearborn MI; three grandchildren: Stephen Biernat and wife Deanna, Julia Biernat, and Charlotte Crandall; and one great-grandchild on the way. Her beloved Ritz will join the home of Michele and Mike in Dearborn.

Visitation Monday 2 pm - 8pm.  Funeral Service Tuesday 10am at the John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home.

Donations in Alice's memory may be made to the Michigan Humane Society ( www.michiganhumane.org/tributes/ )