Alice S. Bear

Obituary

Alice grew up in Tucson, Arizona, born to Naomi and Leon Bear, with siblings David and Marian (Sami). A true free spirit, she earned her pilot’s license before her driver’s license. From an early age, she was active in her community and even organized a protest during her high school graduation, which led to her diploma being thrown to the ground for wearing a black armband in response to the Kent State shootings.

She came to Seattle in the early 1970s and found lasting friendship at the Cornish College of the Arts and the Comet Tavern, forming connections that endured throughout her life. Beyond her work as an artist, Alice embraced many adventures—cooking in an Alaskan fishing camp, working on a tugboat, and traveling widely through Australia, Japan, India, Turkey, and much of Europe.

After completing her conservation fellowship at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, she returned to the United States and opened her own Conservation of Works of Art on Paper studio, contributing to the field and training apprentices throughout her career. She continued making art in many forms—painting, sculpting, drawing, and forming glass beads.

Alice also mentored numerous assistants, taught students of all ages, and was active with the Save Outdoor Sculpture initiative to identify, document, and preserve public artworks across Washington—often with Dylan in tow.

Alice is survived by her daughter Dylan Morris and husband Tom Morris. She leaves behind a legacy of creativity, friendship, and kindness that touched everyone who knew her.

Mom’s Rocky Road Fudge

1 bag of milk chocolate chips
1/2 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
        1  can sweetened condensed milk
        1 teaspoon vanilla extract
        1/2 cup pecans or walnuts
        1/2 cup mini marshmallows

Melt milk and semi-sweet chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk on a double boiler until smooth. Remove from heat and add vanilla, pecans or walnuts, and mini marshmallows. Allow to cool, cut into small bites, and share with all your friends!

Gallery

Memory wall

August 8, 2026

Alice
I was lucky to meet Alice through our work together at the Seattle Art Museum over 40 years ago.

I want to honor in particular what a loving mother Alice was. It was the closest bond we had as friends, over so many years. She loved you SO deeply, Dylan! It was her great joy to be close with you in your adult life. I will always be in awe of the tireless loving care you gave her, being present for her during your long goodbye.

As young moms together, Alice shared quiet wisdoms with me about parenting that I found so profound, even if so simple. “Well, we just love them unconditionally, so they will always love themselves.”

She was so proud of the woman you grew to be, from teen fencing champ, to aide to Senator Murray, to boss lady. I was honored when she asked me to check up on you when you moved to DC for your work on the Hill, even though you didn’t need it!

There was a deep kindness in your mom’s heart and a generosity of spirit that all of her friends experienced. She was a truly good person, loyal and forgiving. She was smartly perceptive and deeply philosophical. I loved her sly humor and that great laugh that came with it! I admired her commitment to her art practice, to social justice and of course to the conservation of many of SAM’s treasures and private Seattle collections.

While doing all of that, she still put being your mom as her top priority —and her very best achievement.

Alice, I miss you, my friend. I lit a peace lantern for you on Green Lake last night for the Aug 6 anniversary. I could hear you say again, as it floated brightly, “Bear here!”

Gail Joice

August 7, 2026

“Meyer’s on the rocks with a twist and a water back….”

Seems like yesterday, but

Shannon Lundstrom

July 16, 2026

Alice was a lovely, fun, talented, and generous person. Very sorry to say goodbye. Xx

Louise Peterson

November 24, 2025

What an amazing person! Sending our love to you both.
Curtis and Beth

Beth L Rheinschmidt

November 23, 2025

Gratefully, there are people one meets along this journey that impact one deeply, one never forgets their spirit and the easy kindness.

Concentric For Alice Bear
oil, charcoal on Arches
22.5" x 30"

RIP Alice

Randy R Sturgis

November 21, 2025

Alice was the Queen. In certain ways I stepped in to fill her shoes, but those are awfully big shoes to fill. In conversations from one paper conservator to another, we often discussed the business and one of Alice's comments has always rung true and loud in my ear (paraphrased here): "Lisa, conservation maybe isn't the most lucrative life, but it's a good life. It will lead you in many wonderful directions and you will be able to raise a family and have a meaningful life. Don't sweat the small stuff." I look forward to attending her memorial. I send a big hug to her family who I know she cared about deeply. Best, Lisa

Lisa Duncan

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