.
Feedback

Obituary: Alicia Urban Was Prominent Presence in Shorewood

Alicia Urban will be remembered for her volunteerism and energetic and magical personality. She passed away Sunday at the age of 43.

Alicia Urban will be remembered for her volunteerism and energetic and magical personality that touched so many with kindness, generosity, warmth, love and fun. She passed away Sunday at the age of 43. 

Urban was devoted to her family, her friends, her community, and her business Elements East. She volunteered actively with Friends of Atwater Beach, Pearls for Teen Girls, Public Allies and Holton Youth Center.

She was a world traveler who spoke fluent Chinese, and had an eye for beauty that crossed cultures.

Wife for 18 years of Jay Urban. Mother of Bryn Claire and Piper Jayne Urban. Daughter of Frank and Linda Paavola. Sister of Chris (Nina) Paavola. Further survived by other relatives and many wonderful friends. 

There will be a gathering of family and friends to celebrate Urban's life at the Milwaukee Art Museum, Windhover Hall, 700 N. Art Museum Dr., on Saturday from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., with a time of sharing at 6 p.m. In loving memory of Alicia, memorials may be made to the Friends of Atwater Beach, c/o The Shorewood Foundation, Shorewood Village Hall, 3930 N. Murray Ave., Shorewood, WI 53211. (Checks should be payable to the Shorewood Foundation with a memo electing Friends of Atwater Beach).

Friends of Atwater Beach are planning a remembrance on Friday night.

"Bring a candle to Atwater Beach Friday night, 7:00 pm, for a moment of silence and a tribute to our dear friend and neighbor, Alicia," a member posted on the group's Facebook page.

Atwater Elementary sent this letter to families on Wednesday:

We were deeply saddened to learn that Shorewood parent, Alicia Urban, passed away last Sunday. Alicia and her husband have two daughters in the Shorewood Schools, Bryn and Piper. The Urbans have been great supporters of the Shorewood Schools and Community.  They have played a pivotal role in the development of Atwater Park.

(Obituary courtesy of Feerick Funeral Home)

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Shorewood Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Adam W. McCoy (Editor) October 24, 2012 at 05:31 pm
Let's please not turn this conversation political. Please be respectful.
The Donny Show October 24, 2012 at 05:46 pm
No disrespect meant. I just wondered because the database on Patch has her name in it MANY times!
mixedupinshorewood October 24, 2012 at 07:05 pm
It is shameful that ANYONE (Cricket or Donny Show) would say anything political or self-serving in an obituary. The family has contributed to our community above and beyond what was expected and this should only be a forum for respectful commentary. I pray for the family and hope they have strength during this difficult time.
Jenny Heyden October 24, 2012 at 07:49 pm
I believe this obituary should be closed for comment. It is a devastating loss to all, and there is a legacy page with a guest book at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/jsonline/obituary.aspx?pid=160620388
Cricket October 24, 2012 at 08:05 pm
Donny Show - that is really uncalled for.
I'd like to thank Mrs. Urban for her tireless work with the improvements to Atwater Park/Beach. the beach it is beautiful and a job well done. Her efforts will be enjoyed by many for years and years to come. Thank you and my sympathies to her family.
Adam W. McCoy (Editor) October 24, 2012 at 08:10 pm
This is an article remembering a person's life. Please keep that in mind when posting a comment. I would like to keep the comments open so people can share their thoughts about Alicia. With that said, if you decide to leave a comment, keep it civil and respectful.
Joe Leone October 25, 2012 at 11:48 am
I met Alicia only once - in her kitchen during a law school reunion. (Jay and I were classmates.) The house and yard were filled with happy and enthusiastic people, but none more welcoming than Alicia. She spoke lovingly of their kids. We compared notes about the trials and rewards of raising children in the electronic age. Not exactly an earth-shattering discussion, but one that sticks in my mind. It revealed her to be a thoughtful and caring person; a lady with a big heart and a big soul. Jay, Piper, Bryn, I am terribly sorry for your loss.
"So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body." 1 Cor 15:42
Sean Cummings October 25, 2012 at 01:24 pm
Alicia represented the best of Shorewood. She committed her time, money and passion to improving our schools and parks while providing an example for all to admire of a successful entrepreneur.
Sean Cummings
Alol October 25, 2012 at 01:35 pm
What a loss for those girls, and a loss for the Shorewood community. My thoughts are with the family.
N. Peske October 25, 2012 at 02:07 pm
She was truly, truly a blessing to this community. My heart breaks for her family.
Meredith October 25, 2012 at 06:47 pm
I'd like to implore the moderator of this article to turn off comments before something is said which could further cause pain to the family. This is neither the time nor place to be debating or discussing issues. I understand the desire to open up comments so that others may leave their condolences, however, given how the internet (and SOME of its users can be) I think it would be prudent pull the plug. Just my opinion.
Kathleen Ludington October 25, 2012 at 07:26 pm
Alicia had a kind soul and a hearty laugh! Her sparkle will remain within each of us priviledged to have called her our friend. Wishing the Urban and Paavola families peace and loving memories of a remarkable woman. She will be greatly missed....
The Ludington Newsom family
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Steve ® June 10, 2013 at 03:55 pm
So? What was used and what harm does it cause? Although ironic this may provide more good thanRead More harm. What is written on the application sign?
Cricket June 11, 2013 at 01:31 pm
The bluff and other areas need to be planted with things that will snuff out the weeds. They areRead More harmful to animals and possibly birds, of which there are many at atwater. Obviously not many animals but there are squirrels and rabbits and other native mammals. Not to mention the kids at the play area. Most adult humans can handle an occasional wiff of a pesticide but not children or animals. I have held several pesticide licenses in my day so I have had much course work on this. I am surprised the village has done this but I know restoration is about to begin - again - on the bluff and perhaps they are trying to rid the bluff of all the weeds. It is a shame that the 15+ kids they hire every year can't be up there weeding instead. I don't know what else they could be doing as the village has reduced the amount of annual flower beds that need to be maintained.
PaulRevere June 10, 2013 at 12:40 pm
The liberal minded Patch had it going their way for some time. Then, the contrary opinions became aRead More "voice to be heard". So, like all liberal media, just shut down the "free speech". Speech that educates the people is a NO-NO in the world of "public education". Have no fear, other avenues to educate the public is on the way.
CowDung June 10, 2013 at 12:53 pm
Given the amount of liberal propaganda that is posted around here, one does have to wonder if PatchRead More intended to make it more difficult to reply to comments (and set the record straight)...
Mike Stevens June 14, 2013 at 07:20 am
Wow, PaulRevere, AKA the hardest working person in America, who only takes 1 day per month off andRead More who believes all evil is related to public schooling, has time to not only comment on St. Louis area Patch sites, but on Milwaukee area sites as well? Paul, perhaps you should go back to school to check your grammar--other avenues to educate the public ARE on the way, not IS on the way. Oh, you must be too busy working 20 hours a day (but finding tons of time to comment on several Patch sites) to check grammar
Walker celebrates after defeating the liberal unionista blue fisters
Steve ® June 6, 2013 at 12:10 pm
Sure Keith. I am sure every time you use the term Tea Bagger it is not vulgar. The symbol for yourRead More failed recall movement was a Blue Fist. No one wants to be ruled by a fist and I don't see how that is vulgar when your own logo was a blue fist. Try again.
Keith Schmitz June 6, 2013 at 01:03 pm
Are you assuming we're stupid Steve? Don't. BTW -- you called yourselves Tea Baggers. We're onlyRead More using the term you selected. What a great PR roll-up for this group of Neanderthals. You're problem with that any fister reference is usually the speaker feels it is where his head should be.
Greg June 6, 2013 at 01:10 pm
OHHHHHHHHHHHHH, that is why their fists are blue, OUCH!
Bob McBride June 6, 2013 at 09:04 am
I think if you look at most of the sites still running the older version, you'll see the sameRead More messages of impending doom we got just before the change...
Bob McBride June 6, 2013 at 09:15 am
I got the name wrong, it was "Bellmore", not Belmont. It was part of rollout of what atRead More the time was being referred to as "Patch 2.0" in the press. It was rolled out to five towns in the Long Island, NY area in September of last year. I'm going to attempt to post a link to an article:: http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/mediawire/189296/aols-redesigned-patch-websites-make-a-play-for-neighborhood-groups/
CowDung June 6, 2013 at 09:30 am
"I think if you look at most of the sites still running the older version, you'll see the sameRead More messages of impending doom we got just before the change... " | I think that's true, Bob. I poked around at a number of Patch sites around the country and the 'Welcome to the New Patch' articles were full of the same complaints we are seeing here. | This Patch redesign seems to be the 'New Coke' of websites...
Greg June 4, 2013 at 03:38 pm
Starting at ONLY $70,000.00 Time to cash in your aluminum cans.