Alice Koch

Alice Christine Ash Koch, 79, died on January 19th in her home at Garden Plaza in Collegedale, TN. She was born February 18, 1941 in Brooklyn New York to Florence (Hester) and John Ash. She was raised in Brooklyn, NY, attending Brooklyn Dodger games as a child with her father and raised by her mother who was a nurse, as her father passed away when she was nine years old. She successfully completed nursing school in the early 1960’s and married her future husband, Alan Koch. They moved to Vermont in 1969 to raise their family where she worked as a registered nurse at the Mary Fletcher Hospital, in Burlington, VT through its several name changes. She worked for over four decades in cardiopulmonary nursing at the bedside on the night shift. She was a leader in every sense of the word, helping to bring in many future generations of nurses through her work ethic and attention to detail. She saved hundreds of lives and made tens of thousands of lives better in her career. She was a strong, vibrant woman, raising her two children, Christine and Alan. She enrolled in college courses and had an intense love and zeal for learning which helped shape her children’s passion for knowledge. She always made certain that her children achieved a well-rounded education. She was an avid crafter, making gifts for her children and grandchildren. She was smart, funny and lovable. Her husband Alan and she were inseparable, living in the family home until 2020, when they moved to Chattanooga to be closer to their family. She suffered a stroke on Christmas morning 2020, and was able to receive palliative care in the hospital, eventually able to come home on hospice, surrounded by her children and son in-law. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Alan Koch, her brother, John Ash, sister-in-law, Joan Ash, and sister-in-law Joan Elizabeth Ash., nieces, Laura Ash, Leiann Laikes, nephew, Kevin Ash, daughter, Christine Dominguez, son, Alan Koch, son in-law, Paul Dominguez, daughter in-law, Anne Koch, grandchildren, Amanda Partlow and Anna Partlow. She is predeceased by her mother and fellow nurse, Florence Ash Monsees, father, John Ash, brother, Kenneth Ash, mother-in-law, Alberta Koch, father-in-law, Christian “Bud” Koch. The family would like to thank her medical providers from Vermont, Dr Mark Pitcher, Dr John Fitzgerald, her Chattanooga providers, Dr. Stephen Miller, Dr. Walter Few, Dr. Samuel Jacobsen. A special thanks to her palliative care nurse practitioner, Katie Stone (her “favorite daughter”) who facilitated her trip home to receive care at home for the final days of her life. Special thanks also to Hearth Hospice and their staff, Lorinda, Laura, Amy, and especially Isaac, who cared for her like she was their own family. No services at this time, she will be flown back to Vermont to be laid to rest at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph, VT. Arrangements entrusted to Lane Funeral Home 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN 37414 www.Lanefh.com (423)877-3524